Classic Audiobook Collection - Kabumpo in Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson ~ Full Audiobook [fantasy]

Episode Date: May 8, 2023

Kabumpo in Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson audiobook. Genre: fantasy An elephant in Oz? You bet! The tiny kingdom of Pumperdink has what no neighboring kingdom has: an Elegant Elephant in court, and his name is Kabumpo. He is very proud of his kingdom, his elegance and tends to be just the smallest bit pompous. On the other hand, he loves the young prince Pompo and goes with him in a desperate search to save their kingdom from disappearing. Yes, the prince must find the 'proper princess' and marry her within 7 days or the entire kingdom and everyone in it will be gone. Such a great responsibility on such a youth is hard to bear but Kabumpo helps a lot. Naturally the evil gnome Ruggedo is involved deep underneath but this will all be explained in the exciting chapters. Will he find the proper princess? will he squished by the giant? You must listen to find out and I promise it will be a wild ride. For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 01 (00:17:22) Chapter 02 (00:32:53) Chapter 03 (00:38:55) Chapter 04 (00:55:17) Chapter 05 (01:13:07) Chapter 06 (01:35:39) Chapter 07 (01:45:49) Chapter 08 (01:56:41) Chapter 09 (02:19:47) Chapter 10 (02:35:51) Chapter 11 (02:54:09) Chapter 12 (03:12:25) Chapter 13 (03:29:27) Chapter 14 (03:46:27) Chapter 15 (03:53:29) Chapter 16 (04:10:35) Chapter 17 (04:25:53) Chapter 18 (04:43:01) Chapter 19 (04:57:58) Chapter 20 (05:13:15) Chapter 21 (05:26:06) Chapter 22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cabompo in Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. Chapter 1. The exploding birthday cake. The cake! You chattering chittimong! Where is the cake? Stir em, fry em, hash him. Where is the cake?

cried Ichabot, chief footman in the palace of Pumperdink, bouncing into the royal pantry. The three cooks, too astonished for speech, and with staring eyes, pointed at the center table. The great gorgeous birthday cake was gone, though not two seconds before, it had been placed on the table by Hesham himself. It was my masterpiece, sobbed Hesham, tearing off his cap and throwing his apron over his head. Help, robbers, thieves! cried Sturham and Friam, running to the window. Here was a howdy-do.

The trumpets blowing for the celebration to begin, and the best part of the celebration gone. We'll all be dipped for this, wailed Ijabo, flinging open the second-best china closet so violently that three silver cups and a pewter mug tumbled out. Just then there was a scream from Hashim who had removed the apron from his head. Look! he shrieked. There it is! Back to the table rushed the other three, stir him and fryam rubbing their eyes, and Ejabo, his head where the cups had bumped him severely.

Upon the table stood the royal cake, as pink and perfect as ever. It was there all the time, mince my eyebrows, sputtered Hesham in an injured voice. Called me a chittimong, did you? Grasping a big wooden spoon, he ran angrily at eagles. Ejabo. "'Was it gone or was it it? cried Ejabo, appealing to the others, and hastily catching up a bread-knife to defend himself.

Instantly there arose a babble. It was, it was it, was, rap, bang, clatter!' In a minute they were in a furious argument, not only with words, but with spoons, forks and bowls. And dear knows what would have become of the cake had not a bell-rung lye-lawed. and the second footman poked his head through the door. "'The cake! Where is the cake?' he weased importantly.

So Ejabo, dodging three cups in a salt cellar, seized the great silver platter and dashed into the great banquet hall. One pink coat was missing and his wig was somewhat elevated over the left ear from the lump raised by the pewter mug. he summoned what dignity he could, and joined the grand procession of footmen, who were bearing gold and silver dishes filled with goodies for the birthday feast of Prince Pompadour of Pumperdake. The royal guests were already assembled, and just as Ijabo entered, the pages blew a shrill blast upon their silver trumpets, and the prime pumper stepped forward to announce their

"'Oise! Oise! Oise! shouted the prime pumper, pounding on the floor with his silver staff, while the guests politely inclined their heads, just as if they had not heard the same announcement dozens of times before. Oise! Ois-e! Pompus the proud and posy-pink! King and queen of Pumper-Dink! Way for the king and clear the floor! Wave for our good prince Pompadour, way for the elegant elephant, way for the king and queen and the prince, I say." So everybody weighed, which is to say they bowed and down the center of the room swept pompous, very fat and gorgeous in his purple robes and jeweled crown, and posy pink, very stately and queen-like in her ermine cloak and Prince Pompadour, very straight and handsome.

In fact, they looked exactly as a good old-fashioned. royal family should. But Cabompo, who swayed along grandly after the prince, few royal families could boast of so royal and elegant an elephant. He was huge and gray. On his head he wore jeweled bands, and a jeweled court robe billowed out majestically as he walked. His little eyes twinkled merrily,

and his big ears flapped so sociably that just look at him put, one in a good humor. Gobompo was the only elephant in Pumperdink, or in any kingdom near Pumperdink, so no wonder he was a prime favorite court. He had been given to the king at Pompas christening by a friendly stranger and since then had enjoyed every luxury and advantage. He was not only treated as a member of the royal family, but was always addressed as sir by

all of the palace servants. He lends an air of elegance to our court, the king was fond of saying, and the elegant elephant he surely had become. Now an elegant elephant at court might seem strange in a regular up-to-date country. But Pumperdink is not at all regular, nor up to date. It is a cozy old-fashioned kingdom, way up in the northern part of the Gillican country of Oz, old-fashioned enough to wear knee-breaching. and have a king, and cozy enough to still enjoy birthday parties and candy-poles.

If Pompas the king was a bit proud, who could blame him? His queen was the loveliest, his son the most charming, and his elephant the most elegant and unusual for twenty kingdoms roundabout. And Pompus, for all his pride, had a very simple way of ruling. When the Pumperdinkians did right, they were rewarded. When they did wrong, they were dipped. In the very center of the courtyard, there is a great stone well with a huge stone bucket. Into this Pumperdink well, all offenders and lawbreakers were lowered.

Its waters were dark blue, and as the color stuck to one for several days, the inhabitants of Pumperdink were careful to behave well, so that the chiefs were Dipper, who turned the wheel that raised and lowered the bucket, often had days at a time with nothing to do. This time he spent in writing poetry, and as Prince Pompadour took the place of honor at the head of the table, the chief Dipper rose from his humble place at the foot, and with a moist flourish burst forth. "'Oh, Pompadour of Pumperdinink, of all perfection you're the pink, your praises now I utter,

Your eyes are clear as applesauce, your head the best I've come across, your heart is soft as butter." "'Very good,' said the king, and the chief dipper sat down, blushing with pride and confusion. Prince Pompadour bowed, and the rest of the party clapped tremendously. "'Sounds like a dipper full of nonsense to me,' weased Cabompo, who stood directly back of Prince Pompadour's throne, leisurely consuming a bale of hay. placed on the floor beside him. It may surprise you to know that all the animals in Oz can talk, but such is the case.

And Pumperdink, being in the fairy country of Oz, Kabumpo could talk as well as any man, and better than most. Eyes like applesauce, heart of butter! The elegant elephant laughed so hard, he shook all over. Then, slyly reaching over the Prince Pumper's shoulder, he snatched his glass of pink lemonade and emptied it down his great throat, setting the tumbler back before the old fellow turned his head. "'Did you call, sir?' asked Ijibo, hurrying over. He had mistaken Cobombo's laugh for a command.

"'Yes, why did you not give his excellency lemonade?' demanded the elegant elephant sternly. I did. He must have drunk it, sir," stuttered I. "'Drunk it?' cried the prime pumperer, pounding on the table indignantly. I never had any. "'Fetch him a glass at once,' rumbled Kaboompo, waving his trunk, and Ijabo, too wise to argue with a member of the royal family, brought another glass of lemonade. But no sooner had he done so than the mischievous elephant stole that.

Next, the Prime Pumper's plate and roll, and all so quickly no one but Prince Pompadour knew what was happening, and poor Ejabo was kept running backwards and forwards till his wig stood on end with confusion and rage. All of this was very amusing to the prince, and helped him to listen pleasantly to the fifteen long birthday speeches addressed to him by members of the Royal Guard. But if the speeches were dull, The dinner was not. The fiddlers fiddled so merrily, and the chief cook, Hashem, had so outdone himself in the preparation

of new and delicious dainties that by ice-cream and cake-time everyone was in a high, good humor. The cake, my good Ejabo fetch forth the cake, commanded King Pompus, beaming proudly upon his son. Nervously Ejabo stepped to the side table and lighted the eighteen tall birthday candles. A cake that had disappeared once might easily do so again, and Ijabo was anxious to have it cut and out of the way, out of his way at least. Hesham, looking through a tiny crack in the door, almost burst with pride as his gorgeous

pink masterpiece was set down before the king. "'Many happy returns of your eighteenth birthday!' cried the courtiers, jumping to their feet and waving their napkins enthusiastically. "'Thank you, thank you,' chuckled Pompadour, bowing low. I feel that this is but one of many more to come. Which may sound strange, but Pumperdick, being an Oz, one may have as many eighteenth birthdays as one cares to have. This was Pompas tenth, and while the courtiers drank his health,

the prince made ready to blow out the birthday candles. That's right. Blow them all out at once, cried the king. So Pampa puffed out his cheeks and blew with all his might. But not a candle flickered. Then he tried again. Indeed, he puffed and blew until he was a regular royal purple, but nary a candle flame so much as wavered.

Stummerest candles I ever saw, blustered King Pumpus. Then he puffed out his cheeks and blew like a purpose. So did Queen Posi and the prime pumper. So did everybody. They blew until every dish upon the table skipped, and they all sank back exhausted in their chairs. But the candles burned as merrily as ever. Then Kaboompo took a hand, or rather a trunk. He had been watching the proceedings with his twinkling little eyes.

Now he took a tremendous breath, pointed his trunk straight at the cake. and blew with all his strength. Every candle went out but stars. As they did, the great pink cake exploded with such force that half the courtiers were flung under the table, and the rest knocked unconscious by flying fragments of icing, tumblers, and plates. Treason! screamed Pompus, the first to recover from the shock. Who dared put gunpowder in the cake?

brushing the icing from his nose, he glared around angrily. The first person to catch his eye was Hashem, the cook, who stood trembling in the doorway. "'Dip him!' shouted the king furiously. And the chief dipper, only too glad of an excuse to escape, seized poor Hashim. "'And him!' ordered the king, as Ijabo tried to sidle out of the room, and them, as all the other footmen started to run. One. Forming his victims in a line, the chief dipper marched them sternly from the banquet hall.

"'Aise, oiz-a, every body shall be dipped,' mumbled the prime pumper, feebly raising his head. "'Oh, no! Oh, no, nothing of the sort,' snapped the king. Fanning poor Queen Posey pink with the plate, she had fainted dead away. "'What is the meaning of this outrage?' shouted Pompas. His anger rising again. "'How should I know?' weased Kaboompo, dragging Prince Pompador from beneath the table, and pouring a jug of cream over his head.

"'Something hit me!' moaned the prince, opening his eyes. "'Of course it did,' said Kaboompo. "'The cake hit you. Made a great hit with us all, that cake!' The elegant elephant looked ruefully at his silk robe of state, which was hopelessly smeared with icing, then put his trunk to his head, for something hard had struck him between the eyes. He felt about the floor and found a round, shiny object which he was about to show the

king, when Pompas pounced upon a tall scroll, sitting upright in his tumbler. In the confusion of the moment it had escaped his attention. "'Perhaps this will explain,' spluttered the king, breaking the seal. Queen Posi Pink opened her eyes with a sigh, and the courtiers, crawling out from beneath the table, looked up anxiously, for everyone was still dazed from the tremendous explosion. Pompus read the scroll to himself with popping eyes, and then began to dance up and down in a frenzy. "'What is it? what is it?' cried the queen, trying to read over his shoulder.

Then she gave a well-bred scream and fainted away in the arms of General Quakes who had come up behind her. By this time the Prime Pumper had recovered sufficiently to remember that reading scrolls and court papers was his business. Somewhat unsteadily he walked over and took the scroll from the king. "'Oise, Oisei! he faltered, pounding on the table. "'Oh, never mind that,' rumbled Kaboompo. Flagging his ears, let's hear what it says. Know ye, began the old man in a high, shaky voice, know ye that unless ye prince of ye ancient and honorable kingdom of Pumperdink wed ye proper fairy princess in ye proper span of time, ye kingdom of Pumperdink shall disappear forever and even longer from ye gillicin country of Oz. J. G.

What? screamed Pompador, bounding to his feet. Me, but I don't want to marry. You'll have to, groaned the king with a wave at the scroll. The courtier sat staring at one another in dazed disbelief. From the courtyard came to splash and splutter of the luckless footman and the dismal creaking of the stone bucket. Oh, wailed Papa, throwing up his hands. This is the worst 18th birthday I've ever had. I'll never have another as long as I live.

End of Chapter 1. Chapter 2 of Cabompo in Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 2. Picking a proper princess. What shall be do first? Grown the king, holding his head with both hands. Let me think.

Right, said Kabumpo, think by all means. So the great hall was cleared, and the king, with the mysterious scroll, spread out before him, thought and thought and thought. But he did not make much headway, for as he explained over and over to Queen Posi, who, with Pompadour, the elegant elephant and the prime pumper, had remained to help him,

How is one to know where to find the proper princess? And how is one to know the proper time for Papa to wet her? Who was J.G.? How did the scroll get in the cake? The more the king thought about these questions, the more wrinkled his forehead became. Why, we're liable to wake up any morning and find ourselves gone, he announced gloomily.

How does it feel to do that? disappear, I wonder. I suppose it would give one rather a gone feeling, but I don't believe it would hurt much, volunteered Kabumpo, glancing uneasily over his shoulder. Perhaps not, but it would not get us anywhere. My idea is to marry the prince at once to a proper princess, put in the prime pumper, and avoid all this disappearing.

You're in a great hurry to marry me off, aren't you? said Pompadour sulkily. For my part, I don't want to marry at all. Well, that's very selfish of you, Pampa, said the king in a grieved voice. Do you want your poor old father to disappear? Not only your poor old father, choked the prime pumper, rolling up his eyes. How about me? Oh, you, you can disappear any time you want, said the prince unfeelingly.

It all started with that wretched, cake, sighed the queen. I am positive the scroll flew out of the cake when it exploded. Of course it did, cried Pompus. Let us send for the cook and question him. So Hacham, very wet and blue from his dip, was brought before the king. A fine cook you are, roared Pompus, mixing gunpowder and scrolls in a birthday cake. But I didn't, wailed Hacham, falling on his knees.

Only eggs, Your Highness, very best eggs, sugar, flour, spice, and bombshells, cried the king angrily. The cake disappeared before the party, Your Majesty, cried Ijebo. Everyone jumped at the sudden interruption, and Igebo, who a crept in unnoticed, stepped before the throne. Disappeared, continued Iechbo hoarsely, dripping blue water all over the royal rugs. one minute there it was on the pantry table. Next minute. Gone, croaked Ijibo, flinging up his hands and shrugging his shoulders. Then before a fellow could turn around, it was back.

Toward our fault if magic got mixed into it, and here we have been dipped for nothing. Well, why didn't you say so before? asked the king in exasperation. Fine chance I had to say anything, sniffed Ijibo, ringing. out his lace ruffles. "'You may have the day off, my good man,' said Pompus with an apologetic cough. "'And you also, with a wave at Hashim, very stiffly the two walked to the door. "'It's an off day for us all right,' said Echabot ungraciously, and without so much as a bow, the two disappeared.

"'I fear you were a bit hasty, my love,' murmured Queen Posey, looking after them with a troubled little frown. "'Well, who wouldn't be?' cried Pompus, ruffling up his hair. "'Here we are liable to disappear any minute, and all you do is stand around and criticize me. Be gone,' he puffed angrily as the page stuck his head in the door. "'No, you shouting at people to be gone,' said the elegant elephant testily.

"'We'll all be gone soon enough.' At this, Queen Posey began to weep into her silk hand. which sight so affected Prince Pompadour that he rushed forward and embraced her tenderly. "'I'll marry,' cried the prince impulsively. "'I'll do anything. The trouble is there aren't any fairy princesses around here.' "'There must be,' said the king. "'There is, there is!' screamed the Prime Pumper, bouncing up suddenly. "'Oisei, oi!

"'Has your majesty forgotten, Falero? Royal Princess of Follensby Forest? Why, of course, the king snapped his fingers joyfully. Everyone says Follero is a fairy princess. She must be the proper one. Follero! trumpeted the elegant elephant, sitting down with a terrific thud. That awful old creature?

You are to be ashamed of yourself. Silence, thundered the king. "'Nonsense,' trumpeted Kabumpo. "'She's a thousand years old and it's ugly as a stone lecogu. "'Don't you marry her, Pampa?' "'I command you to marry her,' cried the king, "'opening his eyes very wide and bending forward. "'Foliro?' gasped the prince,

"'s scarcely believing his ears. "'No wonder, Pompadour was shocked. "'Foliro, although a princess in her own, right and of royal fairy descent, was so unattractive that in all her thousand years of life, no one had wished to marry her. She lived in a small hut in the great forest kingdom next to Pumperdink, and did nothing all day but gather faggots. Her face was long and lean, her hair thin and black, and her nose so large that it made

you think of a cauliflower. "'Ugh!' groaned Prince Pompadour, falling back on Kabumpo for support. "'Well, she's a princess and a fairy, the only one in any kingdom.' "'I don't see why you want to be so fussy,' said the king, fretfully. "'Shall I tell her royal highness of the great good fortune that has befallen her?' asked the prime pumper, starting for the door. "'Do so at once,' snapped Pompus. Just then he gave a scream of fright and pain,

for a round, shiny object had flown through the air and struck him on the head. What was that? The Prime Pumper looked suspiciously at the elegant elephant. Kabumpo glared back. A—a warning, stuttered the Prime Pupper, afraid to say that Columpo had flung the offending missile. A warning, Your Majesty. "'It's nothing of the kind,' said the king angrily. "'You're getting old, pumper, and stupid.

"'It's why it's a doorknob. "'Who dares to hit me with a doorknob?' "'It hit me once,' mumbled Kabumpo, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other three. "'How does it strike you?' "'As an outrageous piece of impertinence,' sputtered Pompus, "'turning as red as a turkey-cock. Perhaps it has something to do with the scroll, suggested Queen Posey, taking it from the king. See, it is gold, and all the doorknobs in the palace are ivory.

And look, here are some initials. Sure enough, it was gold, and in the very center were the initials, P.A. Just at this interesting juncture, the page, who had been poking his head in the door every few minutes, gathered his courage together and rushed up to the king. Pardon, most high highness, but General Quakes made me say that this mirror was found under the window, started the page, and before Pompas had an opportunity to cry, be gone or dip him,

the little fellow made a dash for the door and disappeared. It grows more puzzling every minute, wailed the king, looking from the doorknob to the mirror and from the mirror to the scroll. "'If you take my advice, you'll have this marriage performed at once,' said the prime pauper in a trembling voice. "'I believe I will,' sighed Pompas, rubbing the bump on his head. "'Go and fetch the Princess Follero, and you, Pampa, prepare for your wedding.' "'But, father,' began the prince, "'not another word or you'll be dipped,' rumble the king of Pumperdinink.

"'I'm not going to have my kingdom disappearing if I can help it.' "'You mean if I can help it?' muttered Pompadour gloomily. "'This is ridiculous,' stormed the elegant elephant, as the prime pumper rushed importantly out of the room. "'Don't you know that this country of ours is only a small part of the great kingdom of Oz? "'There must be hundreds of princesses for Pompadour to choose from. "'Why should he not wed Osma, the princess of us all?' "'Haven't you read any Oz history?

"'Have you never heard of the wonderful Emerald City? "'Let Papadour start out at once. "'I myself will accompany him. "'And if Osama refuses to marry him, "'well, the elegant elephant drew himself up. "'I will carry her off, that's all. "'It's a long way to the Emerald City,' mused Queen Posey, "'but still,

"'yes, and what is to become of us in the meantime, pray?' While you are wondering all over Oz, we can disappear, I suppose. No, sir, not one step do you go out of Pumperdink. Folliro is the proper princess, and Pompadour shall marry her, said Pompas. You're talking through your crown, weiced, Columpo. How about the doorknob and mirror? They came out of the cake as well as the scroll. What are you going to do about them?

Let's have a look at the mirror. Just a common gold mirror, fumed Pumpus, holding it up for the elegant elephant to see. What's the matter? As Columpo gave a snort. On the face of the mirror, as Columpo looked in, two words appeared. Elegant elephant. And when Pumas snatched the mirror, above his reflections stood the words, Fat old King. Then Queen Posey peeped into the mirror, which promptly flashed, Lovely Queen. Why, it's telling the truth,

screamed Pampa, looking over his mother's shoulder. At this, the words charming prince formed quickly in the glass. The prince grinned at his father, who was now quite beside himself with rage. You think I'm fat and old, do you? Snorted the king,

flinging the gold mirror face down on the table. This is a nice day, I must say. scrolls, door knobs, mirrors, and insults. But what can P.A. stand for? Mused Queen Posey thoughtfully. Plain enough, chuckled Kaboompo maliciously. It stands for perfectly awful.

Who's perfectly awful? asked Pumper suspiciously. Why, Valero, sniff the elegant elephant. That's plain enough to everybody. Dip him, shrieve. compass, I've had enough of this dip him, do you hear? That, yawned Kabumpo, straightening his silk robe, is impossible. And considering his size it was.

But just that minute the prime pumper returned, and in his interest to hear what the Princess Felero had said, the king forgot about dipping Kabumpo. The courtier from the princess stepped forward. Her Highness, puffed the prime Pupper, who had run all the way, Her Highness accepts Prince Pompadour with pleasure and will marry him tomorrow morning. Prince Pompadour gave a dismal groan. Fine, cried the king, rubbing his hands together. Let everything be made ready for the ceremony.

And in the meantime, Pompus glared about him fiercely. I forbid anyone's disappearing. I am still the king. set a guard around the castle, Pumper, to watch for any signs of disappearance, and if so much as a fence pailing disappears, he drew himself up, notify me at once. Then turning to the throne, Pampas gave his arm to Queen Posi, and together they started for the garden. Do you mean to say you are going to pay no attention to the mirror or doorknob? cried Cabo, planting himself in the king's path.

"'Go away,' said Pompus crossly. "'Oise, Oisei, way for their majesties!' cried the prime pumper, running ahead with his silver staff, and the royal couple swept out of the banquet hall. "'Never mind, Cabo,' said the prince, flinging his arm affectionately around the elegant elephant's trunk. "'I dare say, Filiro has her good points, and we cannot let the old kingdom disappear, you know.' "'Fiddle-sticks,' choked Kabumpo. "'She'll make a doormat of you, Pampa. "'Prince Pomp a doormat. That's what you'll be.'

"'Let's run away,' he proposed. "'His little eyes twinkling anxiously. "'I couldn't do that and let the kingdom disappear. "'It wouldn't be right,' sighed the prince. "'And sadly he followed his parents into the royal gardens. "'The king's a gooch. gulp the elegant elephant unhappily. Then, all at once, he flung up his trunk.

Somebody's going to disappear around here, he weezed darkly. That's certain. With a mighty rustling of his silk robe, Kabumpo hurried off to his own royal quarters in the palace. Left alone, Prince Pampa threw himself down at the foot of the throne and gazed sadly into space. End of Chapter 2. Chapter 3 of Cabompo in Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson.

This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 3. Cabo and Pompa disappear. Once in his own apartment, Kabumpo pulled the bell rope furiously. My pearls and my purple plush robe bring them at once, He puffed when his personal attendant appeared in the doorway. "'Yes, sir, are you going out, sir?' murmured the little Pumperdickian, hastening to a great chest in the corner of the big marble room to get out the robe.

"'Not unless disappearing is going out,' said Cabompo, more mildly, for he was quite fond of this little man who waited on him. "'But I am liable to disappear any minute. So are you. So is everybody. and I, for my part, wished to do the thing well and disappear with as much elegance as possible. Have you heard about the magic scroll, Speezel? Yes, sir, quavered Spezel, mounting a ladder to adjust the elegant elephant's pearls and gorgeous robe of state.

Yes, sir, and my head's going round and round like—like what? Ascabompo, looking approvingly at his reflection in the long mirror. I can't rightly say, sir. "'Side, Spiesel.' "'This disappearing has me that mixed up. I don't know what I'm doing.' "'Well, don't start by losing your head,' chuckled Kabumpo. "'There. That will do very well.' He lifted the little man down from the ladder.

"'Good-bye, Spiesel. If you should disappear before I should see you again. Try to do it in style.' "'Yes, sir,' gulped Spiesel. Then, taking out a bright red-haping. He blew his nose violently and rushed out of the room. Capoompa walked up and down before the mirror, surveying himself from all angles. A very gorgeous appearance he presented in his purple-plushed robe of state, all embroidered in silver, and his headbands of shining pearls. In the left side of his robe, there was a deep pocket.

Into this the elegant elephant slipped all the jewels he possessed, taking them from a drawer in the chest. I must get that gold doorknob, he rumbled thoughtfully, and the mirror. Noiselessly, for all his tremendous size, Kabumpo could move without a sound. He made his way back to the banquet hall and loomed up suddenly behind the prime pumper. The old fellow was staring with popping eyes into the gold mirror. "'Ho, ho! "'Crump!'

"'No wonder, above the shocked reflection "'of the foolish statement "'stood the words, "'old goose. "'A truthful mirror indeed,' "'weezed the elegant elephant. "'Hey, what?' "'stirred the prime-pupper,

"'slapping the mirror down on the table in a hurry. "'Where'd you come from? "'What are you all dressed up for?' "'For my disappearance,' said Cabompo. sweeping the doorknob and mirror into his pocket. I'm getting ready to disappear. How do I look? Before the prime pumper had time to answer,

the elegant elephant was gone. Back in his own room, Kabumpo paced impatiently up and down, waiting for night. I do not see how she could refuse us, he mumbled every now and then to himself. That was an anxious afternoon and evening, in the palace of Pumperdink. Every few minutes the courtiers felt themselves nervously to see if they were still there.

The servants went about on tiptoe, looking fearfully over their shoulders for the first signs of disappearance. As it grew darker, the gates and windows were securely barred, and not a candle was lighted. The less the candle shows, the less likely it is to disappear, reasoned the king. The darkness suited Kabumpo. He waited until every one in the palace had retired, and a full hour longer. Then he stepped softly down the passage to the prince's apartment. Pompadour, without undressing, had flung himself upon a couch and fallen into an uneasy

slumber. Without making a sound, Kabumpo took the prince's crown from a dressing cabinet, slipped it carefully into the pocket of his robe, and then carefully lifted the sleeping prince in his curling trunk and started cautiously down the great hall. Setting him gently on the floor as he reached the palace doors, he pushed back the golden bolts and stepped out into the garden. The voices of the watchmen, calling to each other from the great wall, came faintly through the darkness, but the elegant elephant hurried to a secret unguarded entrance known only to himself and Pompadour, and passed like a great shadow through the swinging gates.

Once outside, he swung the sleeping prince to his broad back and ran swiftly and silently through the night. "'What are we doing?' murmured the prince drowsily in his sleep. "'Hea! Disappearing! chuckled Cabompo under his breath, disappearing from Pumperdink, my lad. End of Chapter 3. Chapter 4 of Cabompo in Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson.

This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 4. The curious Cotubus appears. Ouch! Prince Pompadour stirred uneasily and rolled over. Ouch! He groaned again, giving his pillow. a fretful thump.

Ouch! This time his eyes flew open, for his knuckles were tingling with pain. "'A rock!' gasped the prince, sitting up indignantly. "'A rock under my head? No wonder it aches. Great Gillikins, where am I?' He stared about wildly. There was not a familiar object in sight.

Indeed, he was in a dim, deep forest. and from the distance came the sound of someone's sawing wood. Oh, oh, I know, muttered the prince, rubbing his head miserably. It's that wretched scroll. I've disappeared, and this is the place I've disappeared, too. Stiffly he got to his feet and started to walk in the direction of the sawing, but had only gone a few steps, before he gave a great cry of joy, for there, leaning up against a tree, snoring like twenty wood-cutters at work, was Cabompo.

"'Wake up!' cried Pompadour, pounding him with all his might. "'Wake up, Cabompo, we've disappeared!' "'Oh, have we?' yawned the elegant elephant, opening one eye. "'You don't say. "'Ha, ho! Hum!' With a tremendous yawn, he opened the old arm. he opened the other eye and began to chuckle and shake all over. We stole a march on him, Pampa.

I'd like to see the king's face when he finds us gone. Old Pumper will be osaying all over the palace. He'll think we've disappeared by magic. Well, didn't we? asked Pompadour in amazement. Not unless you call me magic. I carried you off in the... night. Do you suppose old Cabompo was going to stand quietly by, while they married you to a faggoty old fairy-like filero? Not much, weased the elegant elephant. I have other plans for you,

little one. But this is terrible, cried the prince, catching hold of a tree. Have you left my poor old father, my lovely mother, and the whole kingdom of Pumperdink to disappear? We'll have to go straight back, right straight back to Pumperdink. Do you hear? Do have a little sense. Kabumpo shook himself crossly. You can't save them by going back. The thing to do is to go forward, find the proper princess and marry her. No scroll magic takes effect for seven days, anyway.

How do you know? asked Pompa anxiously. Read it in a witch book, answered God. to Bumpo promptly. Now that gives us plenty of time to go to the Emerald City and present ourselves to the lovely ruler of Oz. There's a proper princess for you, Pompa. But suppose she refuses me, said the prince uncertainly. You're very handsome, Pompa, my boy.

The elegant elephant gave the prince a playful poke with his trunk. I've brought all my jewels as gifts and the magic mirror. and doorknob as well. If she refuses you and the worst comes to the worst, Kabumpo cleared his throat gravely. Well, just leave it to me. After a bit more coaxing, and after eating the breakfast,

Kabumpo had thoughtfully brought along, Pompa allowed the elegant elephant to lift him on his head, and off they set at Kabumpo's best speed for the Emerald City of Eye. Neither the prince nor the elegant elephant had ever been out of Pumperdink, but Cabompo had found an old map of Oz in the palace library. According to this map, the Emerald City lay directly to the south of their own country.

So all we have to do is keep going south, chuckled Cabompo softly. Pompadour nodded, but he was trying to recall the exact words of the mysterious scroll. Know ye that unless ye, prince of ye ancient and honorable kingdom of Pumperdink, shall wed ye proper fairy princess in ye proper span of time, ye kingdom of Pumperdick shall disappear forever, and even longer from ye guillican country of Oz. J. G. Pompadour repeated the words solemnly.

Then fell a thinking of all he had heard of Osama. of Oz, the loveliest little fairy imaginable. She wouldn't want one of her kingdom to disappear, reflected Pompidore sagely. Now, as it happened, Osma did not even know of the existence of Pumperdink. Oz is so large and inhabited by so many strange and singular peoples that although fourteen books of history have been written about it, only half the story has been told. There are no Oz railway or seamship lines, and traveling is tedious and slow, owing to the magic nature of the land itself, its many mountains and fairy forests, so that Pumperdink, like many of the small kingdoms on the outskirts of Oz, has never been explored by Osma. Oz's self is a huge oblong country divided into four parts, the north being the purple Gilligan country, the east,

the blue munchkin country, the south the red lands of the quadlings, and the west the pleasant yellow country of the Winkies. In the very center of Oz, as almost every boy and girl knows, is the wonderful emerald city, and in its gorgeous green palace, lives Osma, the lovely little fairy princess, whom Cabompo wanted Pompadour to marry. Do you know, mused the prince after they had traveled some time through the dim forest? I believe that gold mirror has a lot to do with all this. I believe it was put in the cake to help me find the proper princess. Where would you find a more proper princess than Osma?

Puff Kambumpo indignantly. Asma is the one to depend upon it. Just the same, said Papa firmly. I'm going to try every princess we meet. Do you expect to find him running wild in the woods? Snorted Kibompo, who didn't like to be contradicted. You never can tell. The Prince of Pumperdink settled back comfortably.

Now that they were really started, he was finding traveling extremely interesting. I should have done this long ago, murmured the prince to himself. Every prince should go on a journey of adventure. How long will it take us to reach the Emerald City? he asked presently. "'Two days, if nothing happens,' answered Kabumpo. "'Say, what's that?' He stopped short and spread his ears till they look like sails. The underbrush at the right was crackling from the springs of some large animal,

and next minute a horse-voice roared. "'I want to know the witch and what, the where and how and why, A curious, luxurious old Cotabas, am I. I want to know the when and who, the what for and why so, sir. So please attend. There is no end to things I want to know, sir. Aha, exalted the voice triumphantly. There you are. And a great round head was thrust out, almost in Kabumpo's face.

Oh, I'm going to enjoy this. Don't move. "'Kabompo was too astonished to move, "'and the next instant the caribus had flounced out of the bushes "'and settled itself directly in front of the two travelers. "'It was large as a pony, but shaped like a great overfed cat. "'Its eyes bulged unpleasantly, "'and the end of its tail ended in a large fan.

"'Well,' grunted Cobompo after the strange creature had regarded them for a full minute without blinking. "'Well, what?' it asked, beginning to fan itself sulkily. "'You act as if you had never seen a conibus before.' "'We never have,' admitted Pompa, peering over Kabumpo's head, and secretly wishing he had brought along his jewel-sword. "'Why haven't you?' asked the conibus, rolling up its eyes. "'How frightfully ignorant!'

"'It closed its fan-tail with a snap and looked up at them disapprovingly. Will you kindly tell me who you are, where you are from, when you came, what you are going for, how you are going to get it, why you are going and what you are going to do when you do get it? I don't see why we should tell you all that, grumbled Cabompo. It's none of your affair. Wrong! Shrieked the creature hysterically.

It is the business of a connoisse to find out. everything. I live on other people's affairs. And unless, here it paused, took a large handkerchief out of a pocket in its fur, and began to wipe its eyes. Unless a catibus asks fifty questions a day, it curls up in its porch rocker and d-d-d-d-dyes. And this is my fifth questionless day. Hmm, curl up and die, then, said Gabonpo gruffly. but the kind-hearted prince felt sorry for the foolish creature. If we answer your questions, will you answer ours? I'll try, sniff the curious connobuss,

and, leaning over, it dragged a rocking-chair out of the bushes, and seated itself comfortably. Well then, began Pampa, this is the elegant elephant, and I am a prince. We came from Pumperdink, because our country. kingdom was threatened with disappearance unless I marry a proper princess. Yes, murmured the connoisse, rocking violently. Yes, yes.

And we are going to the Emerald City to ask Princess Osma for her hand, continued the prince. How do you know she is the one? When did this happen? Who brought the message? What are you going to do if Osma refuses you? asked the connoisse, leaning forward breathlessly. Are you going to stand talking to this ridiculous creature all day? Crumbled Kabumpo.

But Pompadour, perhaps because he was so young, felt flattered that even a curious old Cotabas should take such an interest in his affairs. So, beginning at the very beginning, he told the whole story of his birthday party. Yes, yes, gulped the Cotabas wildly every time the prince paused for breath. Yes, yes. Yes, fluttering its fan excitedly. When Pompadour had finished, the Cotterbus leaned back, closed its eyes, and put both paws on the arms of the rocker. I never heard anything more curious in all my life, said the curious one.

This will keep me amused for three days. Of course, that's what we're here for, to amuse you, said Caboompo scornfully. let's be going, Pampa. Perhaps the curious Cotabas can tell us something of the country ahead. Are there any princesses living around here? The prince asked eagerly. Never heard of any, said the Cotabas, opening its eyes. Can you multiply, add, divide, and subtract?

Are you good at fractions, Prince? Not very, admitted Pompadour, looking mystified. Then you won't make much headway, sighed the catapus, shaking its head solemnly. Now, don't ask me why, it added lugubriously, dragging its rocker back into the brush, and while Kabumpo and Papa stared in amazement, it wriggled away into the bushes.

Come on, said Kabumpo with a contemptuous grunt, but he had only gone a few steps, when the curious catapus stuck its head out of an opening of the trees just ahead. "'When are you coming back?' it asked, twitching its nose anxiously. "'Never!' trumpeted Kabumpo, increasing his speed. Again the Cotabas disappeared, only to reappear at the first turn in the road. "'Did you say the doorknobo hit you on the head?' it asked pleadingly. "'Cabumpo gave a snort of anger and rushed along so fast that Pampa had to hang on for dear life.

"'Guess we've left him behind this time,' spluttered the elegant elephant, after he had run almost a mile. But at that minute, there was a wheeze from the underbrush, and the head of the conibus was thrust out. Its tongue was hanging out, and it was panting with exhaustion. "'How old are you?' it gasped, rolling its eyes painfully. "'Who was your grandfather on your father's side? and was he bald? Corumpity Bumpus, raged the elegant elephant,

flouncing to the other side of the road. But why was the doorknob in the cake? Gulp the Cotabus, two tears trickling off its nose. How should we know? said Pampa coldly. Then just tell me the date of your birth, wailed the Cotabas, two tears trickling off its nose. No, no, screamed. Kabumpo, and this time he ran so fast that the tearful voice of the Cotabas became fainter and

fainter and finally died away altogether. Provocanest creature I've ever met, grumbled the elegant elephant, and this time Papa agreed with him. "'Isn't it almost lunchtime?' asked the prince. He was beginning to feel terribly hungry. "'Aren't there any villages or cities between here and the the Emerald City, Papa spoke again. "'Don't know,' weezed Cabompo, swinging ahead.

"'Oh, there's a flag!' cried Pampa suddenly. "'It's flying above the treetops just ahead.' "'And so it was. A huge flapping black flag covered with hundreds of figures and signs. "'Hurry up, Cabompo,' urged the Prince. "'This looks interesting.' "'End of Chapter 4. Chapter 5 of Cabompo in Oz by Ruth Plubby Thompson.

This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 5. The City of the Figureheads. It reminds me of something disagreeable, answered Kabumpo as he eyed the flag. Nevertheless, he quickened his steps, and in a moment they came to a clearing in the forest, surrounded by a tall black picket fence. The only thing visible above the fence was the strange black flag, and as the forest on either side was too dense to penetrate, and there seemed to be no way around,

Kabumpo thumped loudly on the center gate. It was flung open at once, so suddenly that Kabumpo, who had his head pressed against the bars, fell on his knees and shot Pompadour clear over his head. Altogether, it was a very undignified entrance. "'Oh, oh, now we shall have some fun!' screamed a high, thin voice, and immediately the cry was taken up by hundreds of other voices. A perfect swarm of strange creatures surrounded the two travelers. The elegant elephant took one look, put back his ears, and snatched Pompa from

the paving stones. "'Stop that!' he rumbled, threatened. Who are you anyway?" The crowd paid no attention to the elegant elephants question, but continued to dance up and down and scream with glee. Clutching Cabo's ear, Pump appeared down with many misgivings. They were entirely surrounded by thin, spry little people who had figures instead of heads, and the fours, eights, sevens, and cyphers bobbing up and down made it terribly confusing.

"'Let's go,' said Pampa, who was growing dizzier every minute. But the figureheads were wedged so closely around them, Kabumpo could not move, and they were shouting so lustily that the elegant elephant's voice was drowned in the hubbub. Finally, Cabompo's eyes began to snap angrily, and, taking a deep breath, he threw up his trunk and trumpeted like fifty ferry boat whistles. The effect was immediate and astonishing. Half of the figureheads fell on their faces, and the other half fell on their backs and stared vacantly up at the sky.

"'Conduct us to your ruler,' roared Kabumpo in the dead silence that followed. "'How'd you know we had a ruler?' asked a seven, getting cautiously to its feet. most countries have said the elegant elephant shortly he's got no right to order us around said a six sitting up and jerking its thumb at cabompo yes but seven frowned at six and put his hands over his ears this way he said gruffly and cabompo stepping carefully for many of the figure heads were still on their backs followed seven if the inhabitants of this this strange city were queer. Their city was even more so. The air was dry and choky, and the houses were dull oblong affairs, set in rows and rows with never a garden in sight. Each street had a large signpost on the corner, but they were not like the signs one usually sees in cities, for these were plus and minus signs, with here and there a long division sign.

I suppose everything in the streets are divided up, mumbled Pompadour, looking up at a division sign curiously. "'Hope they don't subtract any of our belongings,' whispered Kabumpo as they turned into Minus Alley. "'Look, Pompop at the houses. Ever see anything like them before?' "'They remind me of something disagreeable,' mused the prince. "'Why, they're books, Kabumpo. Great big arithmetic. books, Pampa pointed at one. "'You mean they are shaped like books,' said the elegant elephant. "'I never saw books with windows and doors.'

"'A lot you know,' said Seven, looking back scornfully. But Caboompo was too interested to care. Out of the windows of the big bookhouses leaped hundreds of the little figureheads, and they laughed and jeered at Pampa and Cabompo. "'Ho, ho!' yelled one. leaning out so far it nearly fell on its eight. Wait till the Count sees him. He'll make an example of him.

What an awful country, whispered Pompadour, ducking just in time as a fore snatched at his hair from an open window. But just then they turned a corner and entered a large gloomy court. Sitting on a square and solid wood throne, surrounded by a guard of figureheads, sat the giant ruler of this strange city. "'What have you got there, seven?' roared the ruler. "'I am the elegant elephant, and this is the prince of Pumperdink,' announced Cabompo before Seven could answer. Pompadour himself could say nothing, for he had never before been addressed by a wooden ruler in his life.

And that is exactly what the king of the figure-heds was. An ordinary school ruler, twice as large as a man, with arms and legs and a great square head set atop of his thin, flat body. I don't care a rap who you are. I want to know what you are, said the ruler. We are travelers, spoke up, pompu, swallowing hard, travelers in search of a proper princess. Well, you won't find any here. grunted the ruler shortly. We don't believe in them. Would you mind telling me the name of your kingdom?

asked Papa, somewhat cast down by these words. You have no heads, announced the ruler calmly, or you would have known that this is rhythmic. I, he hammered himself upon the wooden chest, I am its ruler and every inch a king, king of the figureheads. He added, glaring around as if he expected someone to contradict him. "'All right, all right,' weased Cabompo, bowing his head twice.

"'I knew twelve inches make a foot rule, but I never knew they made a king rule. But could you give us some luncheon and allow us to pass peaceably through your kingdom?' "'Pass through?' exclaimed the king, standing up indignantly. "'We don't pass anyone through here.' you've got to work your way through. Pass through, indeed. And when you've worked your way through, we'll put you in a problem and make an example of you.

They'll make a very good example, Your Majesty, said a tall, thin individual standing next to the ruler. He eyed the two cunningly. If a thin prince sets out on a fat elephant to find a proper princess, how many yards of fringe will the elephant loose from his robe, and how bald will the prince be at the end of the journey? I don't believe anyone could figure that out, he murmured gleefully. It might be done by subtraction, said the king, looking at the two critically.

Great haystacks, rumbled Kabumpo, glaring over his shoulder to see if he had lost any friends so far. What have we gotten into? Bald? Gulp Pompa, rubbing his head. "'Do you mean to say you take poor innocent travelers and make them into arithmetic problems?' "'Why not,' said the thin one, "'who looked exactly like a giant lead pencil. "'And please address me as count after this.

"'Count it up is my name. "'What's the matter with living in a problem, my boy? "'Life is a problem after all, and you will get used to it in time. I'll try to assign you to a comfortable book, and you'll find bookkeeping a lot more simple than housekeeping. This way, please. Please go, yawned the ruler, waving his hand. The Count will take you in charge now.

And so dazed was the elegant elephant by all the strange reasoning that he tamely followed the lead pencil person. Goodbye, shouted the ruler hoarsely. Start them on simple additions, he said as they moved off. The street ahead was filled with figureheads, and as Camompo passed, they began forming themselves into sums. The first row sat down, the next knelt behind them, the third stood up, the fourth nimbly leaped upon the shoulders of the third and so on, until a long addition confronted the travelers. Now, said Counted up in his blunt way.

As you haven't figures for heads, let us see if you have heads for figures." Cabompo pushed back his pearl headdress, and drops of perspiration began to run down his trunk. Prince Pampa, lying flat on Cabompo's head, started to add up the first line of figures. "'A.T.3,' he announced anxiously. "'Say three and eight to carry,' snapped counted up. "'Here, three.' A-3 stepped out of the crowd and placed itself under the line. I've got to be carried, cried eight looking sulkily at Pumpa.

Carried, snorted Cabompo, snatching eight into the air. Well, I'll attend to you. You do the adding Pumpa and I'll do the carrying. He landed the eight head down at the bottom of the line of figureheads and swung his trunk carelessly while he waited for his next victim. So slowly and painfully, Pampa counted up the long lines, and Kabumpo carried, and if they made the slightest mistake,

the figureheads shouted with scorn and danced about till the confusion was terrible. When an example was finished, the figureheads in it marched away, but another would immediately form lines ahead so that it took them a whole hour to go two blocks. Oh, groaned thwart. Pumpa at last.

We'll never get through this, Kabumpo. Look at those awful fractions ahead. Can't I skip fractions? He asked, looking pleadingly at Count It Up. Certainly not, said the pencily man, stroking his shiny hair, which was straight and black, grew up into a sharp point. You shall skip nothing. That gives me an idea, whispered Kabumpo, Husk.

Why shouldn't we skip altogether? We're bigger than they are. Why—how are you getting on? At the sound of that hoarse familiar voice, both the prince and Cabompo jumped. You don't mind me asking, I hope. Clinging to the high picket fence and looking anxiously through the bars was the curious cuttibus. Have you found the greatest common divisor yet?

Who's he? asked the elegant elephant suspiciously. Isn't there any way out of rhythmic, but this, whale pampa, looking at the conurbess pleadingly, he was too tired to mind being questioned. The curious beast was delighted to have this new opportunity

to talk to the travelers. Will you answer a few questions if I tell you? asked the connoisse, raising itself with great difficulty and looking over the palings. Yes, yes, anything, promised Pampa. Do you care for strawberry tarts? asked the Cotubus, twitching its nose very rapidly.

Of course, said the Prince. Oh, do hurry. Count it up will be back in a moment. He had run ahead to arrange a new problem, and the rest of the figureheads paid no attention to the queer creature clinging to the palings. Are you going to invite the scarecrow to your wedding? Gulp the Cotubus. I don't know any scarecrow, said Pampa. So how could I— Are you fond of that old elephant? The Cotibus waved at Cabompo, who stamped first one foot, then another, and fairly snorted with rage.

All right, sighed the curious Cotibus. That makes my fifty questions. Hanging onto the fence with one paw, it waved the other backward and forward as it chanted. How many ticks in arithmetic? Tell me that and tell me quick. But if you can't, it's not my fault, so simply turn a winter's salt. The head of the conurbos disappeared. Now, isn't that provoking, Gope the Prince?

After it promised to help us, too. I meant summer salt, wheezed the connoisse, reappearing suddenly. And if you can't, it's not your fault, so simply turn a summer's salt. It recited dolefully. and losing its balance fell off the fence and landed with a thud on the ground below. Here, hurry along, sculted Count It Up, prodding Cabompo with a sharp pencil. The next is a nice little problem in fractions. I wonder if it meant anything, mused Pompador, as Cabompo approached the new problem.

If you can't, it's not your fault, so simply turn a somersault. Anyway, it won't hurt us to try. Stop a minute, Cabompo. Sliding down the elegant elephant's trunk, the prince put his head on the ground and very carefully and deliberately turned a somersault. At his first motion, Count it up gave a deafening scream, fell on his head, and broke off his point, while the figure heads began to run in every direction. Do it again, do it again! cried Kabumpo joyfully.

So Pampa turned another somersault, and another, and another, and another, till not a figurehead was in sight. Even the figureheads at the windows of the houses tumbled out and dashed madly around the corner. Before they could return, Cabompo snatched up Pompa and tore through the deserted streets of Rhythmic till he came to the black-iron gate at the other end of the city. budding it open with his head, the elegant elephant dashed through and never stopped running till he was miles away from there. Oh, have to rest a bit and eat some leaves, puffed Cabompo at last slowing down.

Whew! Wish I could eat leaves, sighed the prince, as Cabompo began lunching off the treetops. But never mind, we're out of arithmetic. Wasn't it lucky that Cotabas followed us? I never would have thought of getting out of sums by turning somersaults, would you?" Only sensible thing I'd ever said, probably," answered the elegant elephant with his mouth full of leaves. "'There's a lot more to be learned by traveling than by studying, my boy. Somersaults for sums. Let's always remember that.'

Pompa did not answer. He slid down Cabumpo's trunk and began hunting anxiously around for something to eat. Not far away he found him. a large nut tree, and, gathering a handful of nuts, he sat down and began to crack them on a white marble slab nearby. Next instant, Kabumpo heard a thud and a muffled cry. The Prince of Pumpernake had vanished as if by magic. "'Where are you?' screamed the elegant elephant, pounding through the brush. "'Pompa!

Pompa! He's disappeared!' gasped Camompo, rushing over to the the marble slab. There was not a sign of the royal prince of Pumpernake anywhere, but, carved carefully on the white stone, were these words. Please knock before you fall in. Fall in, snorted Cabumpo, his eyes rolling wildly. Great Gooch! End of Chapter 5. Chapter 6 of Cabompo In Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Librivox recording is in the public domain.

Chapter 6. Ruggetto's History in Six Rocks On the same night that Prince Pampa and Kabumpo had disappeared from Pumperdink, a little grey gnome crouched in a deep chamber, tunneled under the Emerald City, laboriously carving letters on a big rock. It was Ruggetto, the old gnome king, carving and grumbling and grumbling and carving, and pausing every few minutes to light his pipe

with a hot coal which he kept in his pocket for that purpose. A big emerald lamp cast a green glow over the strange cavern, and made the gnome look like a bad green goblin, which he was. Wag! screamed the gnome, suddenly throwing down his chisel. Where are you, you long-eared villain? There was a slight stir at the back of the cave, and a rabbit of about the same size as the gnome, shuffled slowly forward. What do you want?" he asked, rubbing one eye with his paw.

"'Bring me a cup of melted mud, idiot!' roared the gnome, pounding on the rock, and serve it to me on my throne at once. Now see here,' the rabbit twitched his nose rapidly. I'll get you a cup of melted mud, but don't you call me an idiot. I don't mind working for one, nor digging for one, and listening to his foolishness. But nobody can call me an idiot, not even a make-believe king. Oh, you make me tired, fumed the gnome. Then go to sleep, advised the rabbit with a yawn.

What's the use of trying to pretend you're a king, rug? Oh, king over one wooden doll. six rocks, and twenty-seven sofa cushions. You may have been a king once, but now you're just a plain gnome and nothing else. And if you go and sit quietly in your plain rocking-chair, I'll bring you a cup of plain mud. With a chuckle, the rabbit retired, and Ruggetto, sputtering with fury, flounced into a doll's broken rocker that was set in the exact center of the cave. Here I give that rabbit everything I steal, and he won't even allow me a little luxury of calling him an idiot or of pulling his ears.

How can I pretend to be a king without an ear to pull? grumbled the gnome. What are you, grinny at? Bouncing out of his chair, Ruggetto flew at a merry-faced wooden doll, who sat propped up against the wall and shook her till her head turned round backwards, and her arms and legs flew every which way. Then he hurled her violently into a corner. Quite out of breath, he sank back in his chair and stared angrily about. When Wag returned, the gnome snatched the tin cup of melted mud and tossed it down with one gulp.

Then flinging the cup at the doll, he went back to work. The rabbit shook his head mournfully and picking up the wooden doll. straightened her out and placed her on a cushion. Then, yawning again, he lit a candle and started for the passage at the back of the cave. "'How are you getting on?' he asked, pausing to look over the gnome's shoulder with a grin. "'Fine,' answered Ruggetto, forgetting to scowl. "'I'm up to the sixth rock and expect to finish to-night.' "'Who do you think will read it?' asked the rabbit, putting back both ears and stroking his whiskers.

Then he gave a great spring, just escaped the chisel Ruggetto had flung at his head, and pattered away into the darkness. For several minutes the gnome danced up and down with fury. Then, as there was no one to pinch or shake, he started to work harder than ever on the sixth rock of his history. There were six of the great stones set in a row on one side of the cavern, and the carving on them had taken the old gnome king the best part of two years. The letters were crooked and roughly chiseled, but quite readable. On the first rock he had carved. History of Ruggero in

six rocks. Ruggiero the rough, king of the gnomes. One time metal monarch, at other times a Lamoneag, a goose, a nut, and now a common gnome by order of Osma of Oz. The second rock told of Ruggiero's magnificent kingdom under the mountains of Ev, of the thousands of gnomes he had ruled, and the great treasure of precious gems he had possessed, in those good old days before he was banished from his dominions. The third rock told of his transformation of the queen of Ev and her children into ornaments for his palace, and of their rescue by a party from Oz through the cleverness of Bolina, a yellow hen. It told of the loss of his magic belt, which was captured at the same time by Dorothy a little girl from Kansas.

The fourth rock related how Ruggetto had tried to conquer Oz and recover his belt, how all his plans failed and how he tumbled into the fountain of oblivion and forgot all about his campaign. The fifth rock had taken Rugetto the longest to carve, for it gave the story of his banishment by the great Jen Titi-Hoochoo. You have probably read this story yourself. How Tick-Tock, Betsy Boppin, Shaggy Man, and Polychrome, trying to find Shacky's brother hidden in the known king's metal farm, were thrown down a long tube to the other side of the world, and how the owner of the tube sent Quox the dragon to punish Ruggetto by banishment from his kingdom, and how Kaliko was made king of the gnomes.

The sixth rock told of Ruggetto's last attempt to capture Oz. Meeting Kiki Aru, a hyip boy who knew a magic transformation word, Ruggetto suggested that they changed themselves to Limeonig's, queer beasts with lion heads, monkey tails, and eagle wings. Get all the beasts of Oz to help and march on the Emerald City. But this plan failed too. Kiki lost his temper and changed Ruggetto to a goose. The Wizard of Oz discovered the magic word

and changed both the conspirators. to nuts. Later on, they were changed back to their normal shapes, but again Ruggetto was plunged into the fountain of oblivion and again forgot his wicked plans. This ended the rock history, except for a short sentence stating that Ruggetto now lived in the Emerald City. But the magic of the fountain of oblivion had soon worn off, and it was not long before Ruggetto began to remember his past wickedness. That is how he decided to carve his life story in rock, so that it would be handy should he ever fall into the forgetful fountain again.

And it had taken six rocks to tell all of his adventures. He had not carved these stories just as they had happened, nor ever called himself wicked, but he had told most of the facts, leaving out the parts most unflattering to himself. And now it was all finished, his whole history in six rocks. Throwing down his chisel for the last time, Ruggiero straightened up and regarded his work with glowing pride. I don't believe there's another history like this in all Oz, puffed the gnome tugging at his silver beard. It's a good thing, chuckled Wag, who had come back to eat a carrot. Oz would not be a very happy place if there were many.

folks like you. He seated himself quietly on the first rock of Ruggetto's history and began nibbling his carrot. Get up! How dare you sit on my history! Ruggetto stamped his foot and started threateningly toward Wag. All right, said the rabbit. It's too hard, anyway.

Of course it's hard, stormed Ruggetto. I've had a hard life, hard as those rocks. Everyone's been against me from the very start, and all because I'm so little, he finished bitterly. No, because you are so wicked, said the rabbit calmly. Now don't throw your pipe at me, for you know it's the truth. Grugetto glared at the rabbit for a minute, then rushed over to the wooden doll and began shaking her furiously. He always vented his rage on the wooden doll. Stop that, screamed Wag, or I'll leave upon the spot.

You want to be ashamed of yourself, you old Scrabble Scratch. She's not alive, snapped Ruggetto sulkily. How do you know, retorted the rabbit? Anyway, she's a jolly creature. I'm not going to have her banged around. Here you've taken her away from her little mother, and she hasn't even anyone to rock her to see. sleep.

I'll rock her to sleep, screamed Ruggetto maliciously, and flinging the doll on the floor. He began hurling small rocks at the helpless little figure. Scambling to his feet, Wag rescued the wooden doll again, and Ruggetto, who really was afraid the rabbit would leave him, subsided into his rocking chair. Then reaching up to a small shelf over his head, he pulled down in his head. an accordion. At the first doleful wheeze, Wag gave a great hop, dropped peg, and disappeared into his room in the farthest corner of the cave.

After his last attempt to capture Oz, the gnome had been given a small cottage to live in just outside the Emerald City. But Ruggerto could not bear life above ground. The sunlight hurt his eyes, and the contented happy faces of the... people hurt his feelings, for he was exactly what Wag had called him, and old Scrabble Scratch. So while he pretended to live in the little cottage, according to Osma's orders, he really spent most of his time in this deep, dark cave. He entered it by a secret passage opening from his cellar. Digging the long passage had been the hardest work Ruggetto had ever done in his

bad little life. While toiling one day, he had bumped into the underground burrow of Wag, a wandering rabbit of Oz, and after a deal of bargaining, the rabbit had agreed to help him. Wag was to receive a ruby a month for his services, for the gnome still had a large bag of precious stones, which he had brought from the old kingdom. After the bargain with Wag was made, the passage progressed rapidly, for the rabbit was an extra. expert digger. It was Ruggetto's idea to tunnel himself out a secret chamber directly under Osmas Palace, and there establish a kingdom of his own.

But when they had almost reached the spot, the earth began to crumble away and a few strokes of Ruggetto's spade revealed a great dark cavern already tunneled by someone else. It was huge and the exact shape of the royal palace. This Ruggetto discovered by careful measurement and also that it was directly beneath the gorgeous green edifice, so that the footsteps of the servants could be heard faintly pattering to and fro. This dark underground retreat suited the former gnome king exactly, and without stopping to wonder to whom it had belonged.

gleefully took possession. For almost two years he had lived here without anyone suspecting it, but so far his kingdom had not progressed very well. Wag had tried to coax some of his rabbit relatives to serve the old gnome as subjects, but Rugetto, besides his terrible temper, had a mean habit of pulling their ears, so that the whole crew had deserted the first week. He had pulled Wag's ears once, but the rabbit tore out a pawful of his whiskers and bit him so severely in the leg that Ruggetto had never dared to try it again. Wag had stayed, partly because Ruggiero amused him and partly because of the bribes. For every day, in fear of losing his only retainer, Ruggetto brought Wagg something from the Emerald City, something he has stolen. In return, Wag waited on the bad little gnome and listened to his grumblings against everybody in Oz.

All the furnishings of this strange cave had been stolen from various houses in the Emerald City. The twenty-seven brocade cushions had been taken one at a time from the palace, the green emerald lamp also. Every day, Ruggetto ran innocently about the city, pretending to visit this one and that. that, and every day cups, spoons, and candlesticks disappeared. The doll's rocker, which Ruggetto insisted upon calling his throne, had been taken from Betsy Bobbin, a little girl who lived with Osma in the palace. He had lugged it through the secret passage with great difficulty. The wooden doll had been stolen from Trot, another of Osma's companions.

She was Trot's favorite doll, for she had been carved out of wood by Captain Bill, an old one-legged sailor who was one of the most celebrated characters in all Oz. He had carved her for Trot one day when they were on a picnic in the Winky Country from the wood of a small yellow tree, and as Captain Bill had old-fashioned notions, Pegg was a very old-fashioned doll. but she had splendid joints and could sit down and stand up. Her face was painted and as pleasant as a laughing blue eyes that turned up nose and a smiling mouth could make it.

Trot had dressed her in a funny old-fashioned dress with pantalettes, and then, thinking Peg too short a name, the little girl had added Amy, because she was so amiable, she confided laughingly to the old sailor. Captain Bill had wagged his head, understandingly, and Pegg Amy had straightaway become the most popular doll in the palace, that is, until she disappeared, for Ruggerto had found her one day in the garden, and, chuckling wickedly, had carried her off to his cave. How Trot would have felt if she had seen her poor doll being shaken and scolded by the old gnome king.

But Trot never knew. She hunted and hunted for her doll, and finally gave up in despair. Fortunately, Pegg was well-made, or she would have been shaken to bits, but her joints held bravely and nothing, not even the terrible scolding of the bad old gnome, could change her pleasant expression. Being the sole subject of so wicked a king, however, was wearing, even for a wood-and-a-king. and doll, and Peg was beginning to show signs of wear. Her nose was badly chipped, one pantalette was missing, and both sleeves had been jerked from her dress by the furious old gnome.

If the rabbit was around, Rogetto did not shake Peg as hard as he wanted to, but when the rabbit was gone, he pretended she was his old steward, Calico, and scolded and flung her about to his heart's content. When not carving his history or shaking peg, Ruggetto had spent most of his time digging new tunnels and chambers, so that leading off from the main cavern was a perfect network of underground passages. In the back of Ruggetto's head was a notion that someday he would conquer the Emerald City, regain his magic powers, and then, after changing all the inhabitants to,

moldy muffins, returned to his dominions, and oust Colico from his throne. Just how this was to be done he had not decided, but the secret passages would be useful, so meanwhile he dug secret passages. Above ground the little rascal went about so meekly and pretended to be so delighted with his life among the inhabitants of the Emerald City that Osma really thought he had reformed. Wag, to whom he confided his plans, would shake his head gloomily and often plan to leave the services of the wicked old gnome. There was no real harm in Wag, but the rabbit had a weakness for collecting, and the spoons,

cups, and odds, and ends that Ruggetto brought him from the Emerald City filled him with delight. He felt that they were not gotten honestly, but his work for Rugeto was honest and hard, and not my fault if the old Scrabble Scratch steals him, Wag would mumble to himself. In his heart, he knew that he was doing wrong to stay with Ruggetto, but like all foolish creatures he could not make up his mind to go. So this very night, while the old gnome sat playing the accordion and howling doleful snatches of the gnome National Lair, Wag was gloating over his treasures. They quite filled his little dug-out room. There were two emerald plates, a gold pencil,

a dozen china cups and saucers, twenty thimbles stolen from the work baskets of the good dames of Oz, scraps of silk, pictures, and almost everything you could imagine. I'll soon have enough to marry and go to housekeeping on, murmured the rabbit, clasping his paws and twitching his nose very fast. He picked up a pair of purple wool socks that had once belonged to a little girl's doll and regarded them rapturously. Out of all the articles Ruggetto had given him, Wag considered these purple socks the most valuable, perhaps because they exactly fitted him and were the only things he could really use. The squeaking of the accordion stopped at last, and, supposing his wicked little master had retired for the night, Wag prepared to enjoy himself.

Draping a green silk scarf over his shoulders, he strutted before the mirror, pretending he was a courtier of Oz. Then, throwing down the scarf, he sat down on the floor and had just drawn on one of the socks when a loud, shrill scream from Ruggetto made his ear stand straight on end in amazement. Oh, what now? Coughed the rabbit, seizing the candle. Ruggetto was on his knees before the rocking chair. As I was sitting here playing and singing,

sputtered the old gnome, I noticed a little ring in one of the rocks on the floor. Well, what of it? Sniffed wag, leaning down to pull up his sock. What of it? Shrieked the gnome. What of it? Poor puny earthworm, look!

Leaning over Ruggiero's shoulder and dropping hot candle grease down the gnome's neck, Wag peered into a square opening in the floor. There lay a small gold box. Studded in gems on the lid were these words. Gleg's box of mixed magic. Mixed magic, stuttered Wag, dropping the candle. Oh, my sock. and soup spoons.

Ruggiero said nothing, but his little red eyes blazed maliciously. Reaching down, he lifted out the box, and clasping it to his fat little stomach, shook his fist at the high domed ceiling of the cave. "'Now!' hissed Ruggiero triumphantly. "'Now we shall see what mixed magic will do to the Emerald City of Oz.' End of chapter six. Chapter 7 of Cabompo in Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain.

Chapter 7. Sir Hocus and the Giants. Oh, sighed. Sir Hocus of Pokes and Oz, stretching his armored legs to the fire. How I yearn to slay a giant! How it will refresh me! "'Hast any real giants in Oz, Dorothy?' "'Don't you remember the candy giant?' laughed the little girl, looking up from the handkerchief she was making for Ospa. "'Not to my taste,' said the knight. "'Though his vest-buttons were vastly nourishing.'

"'Well, there's Mr. Youpe. He's a real blood-and-bone giant. "'There are plenty of giants, I guess. "'If we just knew where to find them,' said the little girl, "'biting off her thread.' "'Find him, bind him, get it behind him. "'Hocus pocus, he don't mind him,' screamed the patchwork girl, "'bounding out of her chair.

"'But why can't you stay peaceably at home, old iron sides, "'and be jolly like the rest of us?' "'You don't understand, scraps,' put in Dorothy gravely. "'Sir Hocus is a knight, "'and it is a true knight's duty to slay giants and dragons "'and go on quests.' That's it, my lady Patches," boomed Sir Hocus, puffing out his chest. I've rusted here in idleness long enough.

Tomorrow, with Osma's permission, I shall start on a giant quest." I'd go with you, only I've promised to help Osma count the royal emeralds," said the scarecrow, who had ridden over from his corn-ear residence to spend a week with his old friends in the Emerald City. "'Giants, sir, are bluff and rude and might mistake a man for food. "'Hocus, pocus, be discreet, or you will soon be giant meat,' chuckled the patchwork girl, crooking her finger under the knight's nose. "'Nonsense!' blustered Sir Hocus, waving scraps aside.

Rising from his green armchair, he strode up and down the room, his armor clanking at every step. Straight away, the company began to tell about wild giants they had read of or known. Trot and Betsy Bobbin held hands as they sat together on the sofa, and Toto, Dorothy's small dog, crept closer to his little mistress. The bristles on his back rising higher as each story was finished. Giant stories are all very well, but why tell them at night? Shivered Toto, peering nervously at the long

shadows in the corners of the room. It was the evening after Rogetto's strange discovery of the mixed magic, and in the royal palace, Osma and most of the courtiers had retired. But a few of Princess Dorothy's special friends had gathered in the cozy sitting-room of her apartment to talk about old times. They were very unusual and interesting friends. Not at all the sort one would expect to find in a royal palace. even in Fairyland.

Dorothy herself, before she had become a princess of Oz, had been a little girl from Kansas, but after several visits to this delightful country, she had preferred to make Oz her home. Trot and Betsy Bobbin also had come from the United States by way of shipwrecks, so to speak, and had been invited to remain by Osma the little fairy princess who ruled Oz,

and now each of these girls had a cozy little apartment in the royal palace. Toto had come with Dorothy, but the rest of the company were of more or less magic extraction. The scarecrow, a stuffed straw person, with a marvelous set of mixed brains given to him by the Wizard of Oz, was Dorothy's favorite. In fact, she had discovered him herself upon a munchkin form, lifted him down from his own. bean pole and brought him to the Emerald City. Tick-Tock was a wonderful man made entirely of copper, who could talk, think, and act, as well as the next fellow, when properly wound. You would have been amazed to hear the giant story he was ticking off at this very minute.

As for scraps, she had been made by a magician's wife out of old pieces of patchwork and magically brought to life. Her bright patches, yarn hair, and silver suspender button eyes gave scraps so comical an expression that just to look at her tickled one's funny bone. Her head was full of nonsense rhymes, and she was so amusing and cheerful that Osma insisted upon her living with the rest of the celebrities in the Emerald City. Sir Hocus of Pokes was a comparative newcomer in the capital city of the city of the city of of Oz, yet the knight was so old that it would give me Lombago just to try to count up his

birthdays. He dated back to King Arthur, in fact, and had been wished into the Land of Oz centuries before by an enemy sorcerer. Dorothy had found and rescued him, with the cowardly lion's help, from Pokes, the dullest kingdom in Oz. As there were no other knights in the Emerald City, Sir Hocus was much stared at and admired. Even the soldier with the green whiskers, the one and only soldier and entire army of Oz, yes, even the soldier with the green whiskers saluted Sir Hocus

when he passed. Osma herself felt more secure since the night had come to live in the palace. He was well-versed in adventure and always courageous and courteous withal. But while I've been telling you all this, TikTok had finished his story of a three-legged giant who lived in Ev. And where is Ev? Puffed Sir Hocus, planting himself before Tick-Tock. Ev began Tick-Tock in his precise fashion. Is to the northwest of here on the other side of the M.

There was a whir and a click, and the copper man stood motionless and soundless, his round eyes fixed solemnly on the night. passable desert finished the scarecrow jumping up and kindly winding all of tiktock's keys as if nothing had happened passable desert continued the copper man that's where the old nome king used to live piped betsy bobbin bouncing up and down upon the sofa under the mountains of ev and he threw us down a tube and tried to melt you in a crucible didn't he tik-tok he was a very bad person said the copper man. Ruggetto was a wicked king, though now he's good as pie, but nonetheless I must confess he has a wicked eye, burst out scraps,

who was tired of sitting still listening to giant stories. But Sir Hocus could not be got off the subject of giants. To Ev, thundered the knight, raising his sword. Tomorrow I am off to Ev to conquer this terrible monster. Large as a mountain you say, Tick-Tock? Well, what care I for mountains? I, Sir Hocus of Pokes, will slay him. Hurrah for the giant killer! Giggles scraps, turning a somersault and nearly falling in the fire.

Let's go to bed, said Dorothy uneasily. She had, for the last few minutes, been hearing strange rumbles. Of course it could not be giants. still the conversation she concluded had better be finished by sunlight. But it never was, for at that moment there was a deafening crash. The lights went out. The whole castle shivered. Furniture fell every which way.

Down clattered Sir Hocus, falling with a terrible clangor on top of the copper man. Down rolled the little girls in the scarecrow in scraps. down-tumbled everybody. Cyclone, gasped Dorothy, who had experienced several in Kansas. Giants! Stuttered Betsy Bobbin, clutching trot. The Wizard of Oz tried to reassure the agitated company. He told them there was no cause for alarm,

and that they would soon find out what was the trouble. The soothing words of the wizard were scarcely heard. What the other's words of the wizard was scarcely heard. said was lost in the noise that followed. Thumps, bangs, crashes, screams, came from every room in the rocking palace. We're flying! The whole castle's flying up in the air, screamed Dorothy. Then she subsided, as an emerald clock and three pictures came thumping down on her head.

What had happened? No one could say. Dorothy, Betsy Bobbin, and Trot had. fainted dead away. The scarecrow and Sir Hocus were tangled up on the floor, clasped in each other's arms. The confusion was terrific. Only the wizard was still calm and smiling. End of Chapter 7. Chapter 8 of Cabompo and Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 8. Woe in the Emerald City The soldier with the green whiskers, finished his breakfast slowly, combed his beard, pinned on all of his medals, and solemnly issued forth from his little house at the garden gates.

Forward march, snapped the soldier. He had to give himself orders, being the only man, general or private, in the army. And forward march he did. It was his custom to report to Osma every morning to receive his own. orders for the day. When he had gone through the little patch of trees that separated his cottage from the palace, the soldier with the green whiskers gave a great leap. Halt, break-ranks, roared the Grand Army of Oz, clutching his beard in terror. Great Galoshes! He rubbed his eyes and looked again.

Yes, the gorgeous emerald-studded palace had disappeared. leaving not so much as a gold brick to tell where he had stood. Trembling in every knee, the Grand Army of Oz approached. A great black hole, the exact shape of the palace, yawned at his feet. He took one look down that awful cavity, then shot through the palace gardens like a green comet. Like Paul Revere, he had gone to give the alarm, and Paul Revere himself never made better time.

He thumped on windows and banged on doors and dashed through the sleeping city like a whirlwind. In five minutes, there was not a man-woman or child who did not know of the terrible calamity. They rushed to the palace gardens at a panic. Some stared up in the air. Others peered down the dark hole. Still others ran about.

wildly trying to discover some trace of the missing castle. "'What shall we do?' they wailed dismally. For to have their lovely little queen and the wizard and all the most important people in Oz disappear at once was simply terrifying. They were a gentle and kindly folk, used to obeying orders, and now there was no one to tell them what to do.

At last, Unk Nunky, an old Munchion, who had taken up residence in the Emerald City, pushed through the crowd. Unk was a man a few words, but a wise old chap for all that, so they made way for him respectfully. First Unk Nunkie stroked his beard, then pointing with his long, lean finger toward the south. He snapped out one word. Glinda! Of course they must tell Glinda. why had they not thought of it themselves?

Glenda would know just what to do and how to do it. Three cheers for Unk Nunky. Glenda, you know, is the good sorceress of Oz, who knows more magic than anyone in the kingdom, but who only practices it for the people's good. Indeed, Glinda and the Wizard of Oz are the only ones permitted to practice magic, for so much harm had come of it that Osma made a lot of it. law forbidding sorcery in all of its branches. But even in a fairy country, people do not always

obey the laws, and everyone felt that magic was at the bottom of this disaster. So a way to fetch Glenda dashed the Grand Army, his green whiskers streaming behind him. Fortunately, the royal stables had not disappeared with the palace, so the gallant army sprang upon the back of the saw-horse, and without stopping to explain to the other royal beasts, bade it carry him to Glinda as fast as it could gallop. Being made of wood with gold-shod feet and magically brought to life, the saw-horse can run faster than any animal in Oz. It never tired or needed food, and when it understood that the palace and its dear little

mistress had disappeared, it fairly flew. for the sawhorse loved Osma with all its sawdust and was devoted as only a wooden beast can be. In an hour they had reached Glenda's shining marble palace in the southern part of the quadling country, and as soon as the lovely sorceress had heard the soldier's story, she hurried to the magic book of records. This is the most valuable book in Oz, and it is kept padlocked with many golden chains to a gold table, for in this great volume, appear all the events happening in and out of the world.

Now Glenda had been so occupied trying to discover the cause of frowns that she had not referred to the book for several days, and naturally there were many pages to go over. There were hundreds of entries concerning automobile accidents in the United States and elsewhere. These Glinda passed over hurriedly, till she came to three. three sentences printed in red, for Oz News always appeared in the book in red letters. The first sentence did not seem important. It merely stated that the Prince of Pumperdink was journeying toward the Emerald City. The other two entries seemed serious.

Gleg's box of mixed magic has been discovered, said the second, and Ruggetto has something on his mind, stated the third. Glinda poured over the book for a long time to see whether any more information would be given, but not another red sentence appeared. With a sigh, Glinda turned to the soldier with the green whiskers. Ah, the old gnome king must be mixed up in this, she said anxiously. And as he was last seen in the Emerald City, I will return with you at once. So Glinda and the soldier with the green whiskers flew back to the first.

to the Emerald City, drawn in Glenda's chariot by swift flying swans, and the little saw-horse trotted back by himself. When they reached the gardens, a great crowd had gathered by the fountain of oblivion, and a tall greengrocer was speaking excitedly. "'What is it?' asked Glenda, shuddering as she passed the dreadful hole, where Asma's lovely palace at once stood. Everyone started explaining at once so that Glinda was obliged to clasperseful hole, her hands for silence.

Footprint. Unk Nooky stood upon his tiptoes and whispered it in Glenda's ear, and when she looked where Unk pointed, she saw a huge, shallow cave-in that crushed the flower-beds for as far as she could see. Footprint, gasped Glenda in amazement. Uh-huh. Unk Nooky wagged his head determinedly, and then, pulling his hat. down over his eyes spoke his last word on the subject giant a giant footprint why so it is

cried Glenda what shall we do what shall we do cried the frightened inhabitants of the Emerald City wringing their hands first find Ruggetto ordered Glenda suddenly remembering the mysterious entry in the book of records so a way to to the little cottage hurried the crowd. They searched it from cellar to Garrett, but of course found no trace of the wicked little gnome. As no one knew about the secret passage in Ruggetto's cellar, they never thought of searching underground. Meanwhile Glinda sank down on one of the Golden Garden benches and tried to think. The comfortable camel stumbled broken-heartedly across the lawn and, dropping on its knees,

begged the sorceress in a cheerful voice to save Sir Hocus of Pokes. The camel and the doubtful dromedary had been discovered by the night on his last adventure, and were deeply attached to him. Soon all the palace pets came and stood in a dejected row before Glenda. Betsy's mule, Hank, he-hawing dismally, and the hungry tiger threatening to eat everyone in sight if any harm came to the three little girls. I doubt if we'll ever see them again, groaned the doubtful dromedary, leaning up against a tree.

Oh, doughty, how can you? Whale the camel, tears streaming down its nose. Please do be quiet, begged Glinda, or I'll forget all the magic I know. Let me see. Now, how does one catch a marauding giant who has run off with a castle? On her fingers, Glenda counted up all the giants in the four countries of Oz. No, it could not be an Oz giant.

There was none large enough. It must be a giant from some strange country. When the crowd returned with the news that Ruggetto had disappeared, Glinda felt more uneasy still. But hiding her anxiety, she bade the people return to their homes. and continue their work and play as usual. Then promising to return that evening with a plan to save the castle and charging the soldier with the green whiskers

to keep a strict watch in the garden, Glenda stepped into her chariot and flew back to the south. All that day in her palace in the quadling country, Glenda bent over her encyclopedia on giants, and far into the night the lights burned from her high turret chamber, as she consulted book after book of magic. End of Chapter 8. Chapter 9 of Cabo and Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson.

This Libri-Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 9. Mixed Magic Makes Mischief The Book of Records had been perfectly correct in stating that Ruggetto had something on his mind. He had. To understand the mysterious disappearance of Osmas Palace, we must go back to the old ex-king of the gnomes.

The whole of the night after he had found Gleg's box of mixed magic. Ruggetto had spent trying to open the box. But pry and poke as he would, it stubbornly refused to give up its secrets. Better come to bed, advised Wag, twitching his nose nervously. Mixed magic isn't safe, you know. it might explode. Idiot, grumbled Ruggerto. I don't know who Glag is or was,

but I'm going to find out what kind of magic he mixes. I'm going to open this box if it takes me a century. All right, quavered Wag, retiring backward and holding up his paw. All right, but remember, I warned you. Don't meddle with magic, that's my motto. I don't care a half. hair bell, what your motto is," sneered the gnome, continuing to hammer on the gold lid. When he reached his room, Wagg shut the door and sank dejectedly upon the edge of the bed.

There's no manner of use trying to stop him, sighed the rabbit. So I've got to get out of here before he gets me into trouble. I'll go tomorrow, resolved Wag, pulling his long ear nervously. With this good resolution, the little A rabbit drooped off to sleep. Very cautiously he opened the door of his little rock room next morning. Ruggetto was sound asleep on the floor, his head on the magic box, and Peg Amy, with her wooden arms and legs flung out in every direction, lay sprawled in a corner. "'Be shaking you again the old scrabble scratch!' whispered the rabbit indignantly.

because he couldn't open that box. Well, never mind, Peg. I'm leaving today, and as surely as I've ears and whiskers you shall go to." Picking up the poor wooden doll, Wag tucked her under his arm. Was it imagination? Or did the little wooden face break into a sunny smile? It seemed so to Wag, and with a real thrill of pleasure he tiptoed back to his room and began tossing his treasure. into one of the bed sheets. He seated Peg in his own small rocking-chair, and from time to time, he nodded to her reassuringly. "'We'll soon be out now, my dear,' he chuckled quite as if Peg had been

alive. She often did seem alive to wag. Then we'll see what Osma has to say to this mixed magic,' continued the bunny, wiggling his ears indignantly. And so occupied was he collecting his treasures that he did not hear Rogetto's call, and next minute the angry gnome himself stood in the doorway. What does this mean? He cried furiously, pointing to the tied-up sheet. Then he stamped his foot so hard that Pegg Amy fell over sideways in the chair, and all the ornaments in the room skipped as if alive.

The rabbit whirled round in a hurry. It means I'm leaving you for good, you wicked little. little monster, shrilled Wag, his whiskers trembling with agitation, and his ear sticking straight out behind. Leaving! Do you hear?" Then he snatched Peg Amy in one paw and his treasures in the other and tried to brush past Rogetto.

But the gnome was too quick for him. Springing out of the room he slammed the door and locked it. Wag could hear him rolling up rocks for further security. Thought you'd steal a march on old Ruggetto, thought you'd tell Osama all his plans and get a nice little reward. Well, think again, shouted the gnome through the keyhole. Wag had plenty of time to think, for Rugg never came near the rabbit's room all day. At every sound poor Wag leaped into the air, for he felt sure each blow could only mean the opening of the dreaded magic box. To reassure himself, he held long conversations with the wooden doll, and Peg's calm, cheerfulness, studied him a lot.

"'I might dig my way out, but it would take so long. My ear-tips! How provoking it is!' exclaimed Wag. But perhaps he'll relent by nightfall. Slowly the day dragged on, but nothing came from the big rock room, but thumps, grumbles, and bangs. "'It is fortunate that you do not eat, Peg Deer,' sighed the rabbit late in the afternoon, nibbling disconsolently on a stale biscuit he had found under his bureau. "'Shall you care very much if I starve?'

"'I probably shall, you know. Of course no one in Oz can die, but starving forever is not comfortable either.' At this the wooden doll seemed to shake her head, as much as to say, "'You won't starve, wag, dear. Just be patient a little longer. Not that she really said this, mind you, but Wagg knew from her smile that this is what she was thinking. It was hot and stuffy in the little rock chamber,

and the faint light that filtered down from the hole to the ceiling was far from cheerful. At last night came, and that was worse. Wag lit his only candle, but it was already partly burned down, and soon with a dismal sputter it went out and left the two sitting in the dark. Peg Amy stared cheerfully ahead, but the rabbit, worn out by his long day of fright and worry,

fell into a heavy slumber. Meanwhile, Ruggetto had worked on the magic box, and every minute he became more impatient. All his poundings failed to make even a dent on the gold lid, and even jumping on it brought no result. The little gnome had eaten nothing since morning, and by nightfall he was stamping around the box in a perfect fury. His eyes snapped and twinkled like live coals,

and his wispy white hair fairly crackled with rage. Hidden in this box were magic secrets that would doubtless and enable him to capture the whole of Oz, but clumping Galugas, How was he to get at him? He finally gave the gold box such a vindictive kick that he almost crushed his curly toes. Then, holding on to one foot, he hopped about on the other till he fell over, exhausted. For several minutes he lay perfectly still.

Then jumping up, he seized the box and flung it with all his gnome might against the rock wall. Take that! screamed Ruggetto furiously. There was a bright flash. Then the box righted itself slowly and sailed straight back into Rigetto's hands, and, more wonderful still, it was open. With his eyes almost popping from his head, the gnome sat down on the floor, the box in his lap. In the first tray were four golden flasks, and each one was carefully labeled. The first was marked flying fluid,

Vanishing Cream was the second, the third flask held Gleg's instantaneous expanding extract, and in the fourth was Spike's Hair Streatener. Ruggerto rubbed his hands gleefully and lifted out the top tray. In the next compartment was a tiny copper kettle, a lamp, and a package marked Triple Trick Tea. So anxious was Ruggetto to know what was in the last compartment that he scarcely glanced at Gleg's t set.

Quickly he peered into the bottom of the casket. There were two boxes. Taking up the first Ruggetto read, Gleg's question box. Shake three times after each question. Great, Grampus, sputtered the gnome. This is a find. He was growing more excited every minute. And his hands shook so he could hardly read the label on the last box.

Finally he made it out. Re-animating rays, guaranteed to reawaken any person who has lost the power of life through sorcery, witchcraft, or enchantment, said the label. Well, did anyone ever hear anything more magic than that? Ruggetto glanced from one to the other of the little gold flasks and boxes. There was so many he hardly knew which to use first. Flying fluid and vanishing cream, mused the gnome. Well, they might help after he had captured Oz, but he felt it would take more powerful

magic than flying fluid and vanishing cream to capture the fairy kingdom. Next he picked up the bottle labeled Spike's Hair Strethener. Anything that strengthened would be helpful. So, with one eye on the last bottle, Ruggetto absently rubbed some of the hair strengthener on his head. He stopped rubbing in a hurry and put his finger in his mouth with a howl of pain. Then he jumped up in alarm and ran to a small mirror hanging on the wall. Every hair on his head had become an iron spike, and the result was so terrible that it frightened

even the old gnome. He flung the bottle angrily on the ground. But stop! He could butt his enemies with the sharp spikes. Comforting himself with this cheerful thought, Ruggetto returned to the magic box. Instantaneous expanding extract, muttered the gnome, turning the bottle over carefully.

That ought to make me larger. And if I were larger, if I were a larger, if I were a large He snapped his fingers and began hopping up and down. He was about to empty the bottle over his head, when he suddenly reflected that it might be safer to try this powerful extract on someone else, but on whom? Ruggetto glanced quickly around the cave and then remembered the wooden doll. He would try a little on peg Amy and see how it worked.

Turning the key, he stepped softly into Wags' room. Without awakening the rabbit, Ruggetto dragged out the wooden doll. Proping her up against the wall, the gnome uncorked the bottle of expanding fluid and dropped two drops on Pegg Amy's head. Peg was about ten inches high, but no sooner had the expanding fluid touched her, then she shot up four feet and with such force that she lost her balance and came crashing down on top of Ruggetto, almost crushing him flat. "'Get off, you great log of wood!' screamed the gnome, struggling furiously.

But this Peg Amy was powerless to do, and it was only after a frightful struggle that Ruggetto managed to drag himself out. He started to shake Peg, but as she was now four times his size he soon gave that up. "'Well, anyway, it works,' sighed the gnome, rubbing his nose and the nose. and the middle of his back. I wonder how it would act on a live person. I'll try a little on that silly rabbit, he concluded, tiptoeing back into Wag's room.

Now, Wag's apartment was about seven feet square, plenty large enough for a regular rabbit, but two drops of the expanding fluid and stars. Wag was no longer a regular rabbit, But a six-foot funny bunny stretching from one end of the room to the other. He expanded without even waking up. Ruggetto had to squeeze past him in order to get out, and chuckling with satisfaction, the gnome hurried back to his box of magic.

His mind was now made up. He would take Gleg's mixed magic under his arm, go above ground, and— with the expanding fluid change himself into a giant. Then, conquering Oz would be a simple matter. It was all going to be so easy and amusing that Ruggetto felt he had plenty of time to examine the rest of the bottles and boxes. He rubbed some of the vanishing cream on a sofa cushion,

and it instantly disappeared. The box of reanimating rays, guaranteed to reawaken anyone from enchantment, interested the old gnome immensely. But how could he try them when there was no bewitched person about? At least none that he knew of. Then his eye fell on the question box. Why not try that?

So. How shall I use the reanimating rays? asked Ruggiero, shaking the box three times. Nothing happened at first. Then by the light from his emerald lamp, the gnome saw a sentence. forming on the lid. Try them on Peg, said the box shortly.

Without thinking of consequences or wondering what the question box meant by suggesting Peg, the curious gnome opened the box of rays and held it over the huge wooden doll. For as long as it would take to count ten, Peg lay perfectly still. Then, with a creak and jerk, she sprang to her feet. How perfectly permiforous! cried Pegg Amy with an awkward jump. I'm alive! Why, I'm alive all over!

She moved one arm, then the other, and turned her head stiffly from side to side. I can walk, cried Peg. I can walk. I can skip. I can run! Here Peg began running around the cave, her joints squeaking merrily at every step.

At Peg's first move, Ruggetto had jumped back of a rock, his every spike standing on end. Too late he realized his mistake. This huge wooden creature clattering around the cave was positively dangerous. Why? She might easily pound him to bits. Why on earth had he meddled with the magic rays, and why under the earth should a wooden dow come to life? He waited until Peg had run to the farthest end of the cave.

Then he dashed to the magic casket and scrambled the bottles, the trick tea set, and the flasks back into place, and started for the door that led to the secret passage as fast as his crooked little legs would carry him. But he was not fast enough, for Peg heard, and like a flash was after him. Stop, go away! screamed Ruggiero. Why, it's the old gnome! cried the wooden doll in surprise. The wicked, old gnome who used to shake me all the time. Why, how small he is! I could pick him up with one hand.

She made a snatch at Rogetto. Go away! shrieked Ruggetto, ducking behind a rock. Go away, there's a dear girl! He added coaxingly. I didn't shake you much, not too much, you know. Peg Amy put a wooden finger to her forehead, and regarded him attentively.

I remember, she murmured thoughtfully. You found a magic box, and you're going to harm Osba and try to conquer Oz. I must get that box. Reaching around the rock, she seized Ruggedetto by the arm. In a panic he jerked away. Help, help! cried the gnome king, darting off toward the other end of the cave. Help, help! In his little rock room, wagg stirred uneasily.

Then as Ruggetto's cries grew louder, he bounced erect and almost cracked his skull on the low ceiling. Hardly knowing what he was doing, he rushed at the door, only to knock himself almost senseless against the top, for of course he did not realize he had expanded into a giant rabbit. But as the cries from the other room became louder and louder. He got up and, rubbing his head in a dazed fashion, he somehow crowded himself through the door and hopped into the cave.

When he saw Peg Amy chasing Ruggetto, Wag fell back against the wall. "'My walks and hoopsoons!' stuttered the rabbit. She is alive, and he shrunk. Wag's voice rose triumphantly. "'I'm going to pound his curly toes off,' he shouted. With this he joined merrily in the chase. I'll catch him, he called. I'll catch him, peg, my dear, and make him pay for all the shakings he has given you.

I'll pound his curly toes off. Oh, Wag, don't do that, cried the wooden doll, stopping short. I didn't mind the shakings, and gnomes don't know any better. Neither do rabbits, cried Wagg stubbornly, bounding after Ruggetto. I'll pound his curly toes off. I tell you." The old gnome was sputtering like a firecracker. What chance had he now with two after him?

Then suddenly he had an idea. Without stopping he fumbled in the box which he still clutched under one arm and pulled out the bottle of expanding fluid. Uncorking the bottle, he poured its contents over his head, every single drop. This is what happened. First he shot out sideways till Peg and Wag were almost crushed against the wall With a hoarse scream

Wag dragged Peg Amy back into his room Which was now barely large enough to hold him They were just in time For Ruggero was still spreading Soon there was not an inch of space left to expand in Then he shot up And grew up and grew and grew and groaned and grew till there wasn't any more room to grow in.

So he burst through the top of the cave with the noise like fifty boilers exploding. No wonder Dorothy thought it was a cyclone, for what was on the top of the cave but the Royal Palace of Oz. The next instant it was impaled fast on the spikes of Ruggetto's giant head and shooting up with him toward the clouds. And that wretched note,

never stopped growing till he was three-quarters of a mile high. If the people in the palace were frightened, Ruggetto was more frightened still. Being a giant was a new experience for him, and having a castle jammed on his head was worse still. The first thing he tried to do when he stopped growing was to lift the castle off, but his spikes were driven fast into the foundations, and it fitted closer than his scalp. In a panic, Ruggetto began to run, and when a giant runs he gets somewhere. Each step carried him a half-mile and shook the country below like an earthquake, and rattled the people in the castle above like pennies in a Christmas bank.

Shaking with terror and hardly knowing why, the gnome made for his old kingdom, and in an hour had reached the little country of Ugaboo, which is in the very northwestern corner of Oz, opposite his old dominions. The deadly desert is so narrow at this point that with one jump, Ruggetto was across and puffing like a volcano about to erupt, he sank down on the highest mountain in Ev. Fortunately he had not stepped on any cities in his flight, though he had crushed several forests and about a hundred fences.

Oh, oh, my head! Grown Ruggetto rocking to and fro. He seemed to have forgotten all about conquering Oz. He was full of twinges and growing pains. Osma's castle was giving him a thundering headache, and there he sat, a fearsome figure in the bright moonlight, moaning and groaning instead of conquering. The book of records had been right indeed when it stated that Ruggetto had something on his mind. Osma's castle itself sat squarely upon that mischievous mind, and every moment it seemed

to grow heavier. No wonder they had been confusion in the castle. Every time Ruggerto shook his aching head, Osma and her guests were tossed about like leaves in a storm. Mixed magic had made mischief indeed. End of Chapter 9. Chapter 10 of Cabompo in Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 10. Peg and Wag to the rescue. For a long time after the terrific bang following Ruggetto's final expansion, Wag and Peg Amy had been too stunned to even move.

Crowded together in the little rock room, they lay perfectly breathless. "'Ump things happened?' quavered the rabbit at last. "'That sounds rather queer, but I think I know what you mean,' said Peg, sitting up cautiously. "'Something has happened. Rogetto's been blown up, I guess.' "'Mixed magic!' groaned wag gloomily. "'I knew it would explode. Say, Peg, what makes this room so small?' "'I don't know,' sighed the doll in a puzzle.

voice, for neither Peg nor wag realized how much they had grown. But let's go above ground and see what has become a roguetto. One at a time, and with great difficulty, they got through the door. Why, there are the stars, cried Pegg Amy, clasping her wooden hands rapturously. Real stars! The top of the cave had gone off with the old gnome king, and the two stood looking up at the lovely skies of Oz. "'It doesn't seem so high as it used to,' said the rabbit, looking at the walls.

"'Why, I believe I could jump out if I took a good run and carry you, too. Come a short, Peg?' "'Aren't you mixed up, Wag, dear?' "'Don't you mean come along?' asked Peg, smoothing down her torn dress. "'Well, now that you mention it, my head does feel queer,' admitted the rabbit, twitching his nose. Bart of sackwards. Sort of backwards, corrected Pegg gently. Well, never mind.

I know what you mean. But do let's try to find that awful box of magic. You know Regetto brought me to life, Wag, with something in that box. Only good thing he ever did, said Wagg, shaking his head. But I think you were alive before, he added solemnly. You always seemed alive to me. I think so, too. Two, whispered Peck excitedly.

I can't remember just how or where. But, oh, Wag, I know I've been alive before. I remember dancing. Peg took a few awkward steps, and Wagg looked on dubiously, too polite to criticize her efforts. He didn't even laugh when Pegg Amy fell down. Peg laughed herself, however, as merrily as possible. It's going to be such fun, Being alive, she said, picking herself up, gaily.

Such fun, Wagdeer. Why, there's Gleg's box. She pounced upon the little shining gold casket. Grugetto didn't take it after all. Is it shut? asked Wag, clasping both paws to his ears. Look out for explosions, say I. No, but I'll soon close it, said Peg. And, shutting Gleg's box, she slipped it into pocket.

of her dress. It was about half the size of this book you are reading, and as Peg's pockets were big and old-fashioned, it fitted quite nicely. Come a short, said Wag again, looking around uneasily, for he was anxious to get out of the Gnomes' cave. So Peg seated herself carefully on his back and clasped her wooden arms around his neck. Then Wag ran back a few steps, gave a great jump, and sheeded herself carefully on his back, and she clasped her wooden arms around his neck. Then Wagg ran back a few steps, gave a great jump, and he

and sailed up, up and out of the cave. Ten penny teacups, shrieked the soldier with the green whiskers falling over backwards. What next? For a wag with peg on his back had leaped straight over his head. Picking himself up, and with every whisker in his beard, prickling straight on end, the Grand Army of Oz backed toward the royal stable. When he had backed half the distance, he turned and ran for his life. But he need not have been afraid.

"'What a funny little man!' chuckled Wag. "'Why, he's no bigger than we are. He's no—' Then suddenly Wag clutched his ears. "'Oh!' he screamed, beginning to hop up and down. "'I forgot all my treasures, my golden goopsoons, my erple sool walks. I've forgotten my erple sool walks.' "'You're what?' cried Peg Amy, clutching him by the fir.

"'Now, Wag, dear, you're all mixed up. Perhaps it's because your ears are crossed. There, now do stop wiggling your whiskers and turn out your toes.' But Wag continued to wiggle his whiskers and turn in his toes, and roar for his purple sool-walks. "'Stop!' screamed Pegg at last, with both hands over her wooden ears. I know what you mean, your purple wool socks." "'Yes,' sobbed the rabbit, slumping down on a rock and holding his head in both paws.

"'Well, don't you think—' The wooden doll shook her head jerkily. Don't you think it's just as well? Ruggetto stole all those things, and you wouldn't want stolen soups' boons now, would you?' Whag took a long breath and regarded Peg uncertainly. Then something in her pleasant wooden face seemed to brace him up. "'Ah, no,' he sighed solemnly. "'I suppose not.

I ought to have left Rugg long ago.' "'But then you couldn't have helped me,' said Peg brightly. "'Let's don't think about it any more. You've been awfully good to me, Wag.' "'Have I?' said Wagg, more cheerfully. Well, you're a good sort, pig, a regular princess. He finished puffing out his chest, and anything you say goes. Princess, laughed the wooden doll, pleased nevertheless.

I'm a funny princess in this old dress. Did you ever hear of a wooden princess wag? You look like a princess to me, said the rabbit stoutly. Dresses don't matter. This speech so tickled the wood. wooden doll that she gave Wag a good hug and began dancing again. Being alive is such fun, she called Galey over her shoulder, and you are so wonderful. Wag's chest expanded at least three inches, and his whiskers trembled with emotion.

I'll hop on my back peg, and I'll take you anywhere you want to go, he puffed magnificently. But the wooden doll had suddenly grown so. sober. "'Where ever is the castle?' she cried anxiously. She remembered exactly where it had stood when she was an unalive doll, and now not a tower or turret of the castle was to be seen. "'Oh!' groaned Peg Amy. Ruggetto has done something dreadful with his mixed magic.

Wag rubbed his eyes and looked all around. "'Why, it's gone,' he said. cried, waving his paws. What shall we do? If only we weren't so small?" "'We've got the magic box,' said Peg, hopefully. And somehow I don't feel as small as I used to feel, do you?' "'Well, I feel pretty queer myself,' said the rabbit, twitching his nose. "'Maybe it's because I'm hungry. There's a kitchen garden over there near the Royal Stables, and I think if I had some carrots I'd feel better.' "'Of course you would,' cried Peg, jumping up.

"'I forgot you had to eat.' "'So very cautiously they stole into the Royal Cook's garden. Whaggett often held himself to carrots from this garden before, but now, sitting on his haunches, he stared around in dazed surprise. "'Everything's different,' will the rabbit dismally. "'You're the same, and I'm the same, but everything else is all mixed up?' "'Look at this carrot. Why, it's no bigger than a blade of grass.' Whag held up a carrot in disgust. Why, it will take fifty of these to give me even a taste,

and the lettuce look at it. Everything shrunk. "'Even the houses,' cried the big funny bunny looking around. "'My walks and hoopsoons. She everything. things hunk." Peg Amy had followed Wag's gaze, and now she jumped up in great excitement. "'I see it now!' cried Peg. "'It's us, Wag. Everything's the same, but we are different.

Some of that mixed magic has made us grow. We're bigger, and everything else is the same. I am as tall as the little girl who used to play with me, and you are even bigger, and I'm glad because now we can help find the castle and rugetto and try to make everything right again." Peg clasped her wooden hands. Aren't you glad, too wag? The rabbit shook his head. It's going to take an awful lot to fill me up, he said doubtfully.

I'll have to eat about six times as much as I used to. Well, your six times is large. Isn't that any comfort? My head doesn't feel right, insisted Wag. As soon as I talk fast, the words all come wrong. Ha, ha, maybe it didn't grow as fast as the rest of you, laughed the wooden doll. But don't you care, Wag? I know what you mean, and I think you're just splendid.

Now, hurry and finish your carrots so we can decide what to do. If mixed magic caused all this trouble, added Pegg after herself, Mixed magic's got to fix it. I'm going to look at that box. Wag, nibbling industriously, had not heard Peg's last speech, or he would doubtless have taken to his heels. Sitting unconcernedly in a cabbage bed, the wooden doll took the gold box from her pocket. Fortunately, she had not snapped the magic snap, and it opened quite easily.

Her fingers were stiff and clumsy, and the moon was a little. was the only light she had to see by. But it did not take Peggymy long to realize the importance of Gleg's magic. I wonder if he rubbed this on the castle, she murmured, holding up the bottle of vanishing cream. And how would one bring it back? Let me see now. One after the other she took out the bottles and boxes and the tiny tea set.

The reanimating rays she passed over without realizing they were responsible for bringing her life, but the question box Peg pounced upon with eager curiosity. Oh, if it only would answer questions, fluttered Peg. Then, holding the box close to her mouth, she whispered, Where is Rugetto? Who are you talking to? asked Wag, looking up in alarm. Now don't you get mixed up, Peg? It's a question box, said the wooden doll, but it's not working very well.

She shook it vigorously and held it up so that the light streaming down from the stable window fell directly on it. In silver letters on the lid of the box was one word. Ev. Ev! Ruggiero's in Ev, cried Peg Amy, rushing over to the rabbit. Can you take me to Ev, Wagdeer? Of course, said Wag, nibbling faster and faster at his carrots. I'll take you anywhere.

Peg." Then it's going to be all right, I know it," chuckled the wooden doll, and putting all the magic appliances back into the box, she closed the lid with a snap. And this time the magic catch caught. Is it far to Ev? asked Peg Amy, looking thoughtfully at the place where the castle had once been. Quite a long journey, said Wag, but we'll go a-hopping. Ev is near Ruggetto's old home.

it's across the deadly desert, but we'll get there somehow. Trust me. And when I do, spluttered Wag, thumping his hind feet determinedly, I'll pound his curly toes off, the wicked little monster. Did you ask the question box where the castle was? He inquired hastily, for he saw Pegg was going to tell him he must not pound Rugetto. Why, no, how silly of me!

Peg felt in her pocket and brought out the gold box. She tried to open it, as she had done before, but it was no use. She pulled and tugged and shook it. Then Wag tried. There's a secret to it, puffed the rabbit at last. Took rug a whole night and day to discover it. Can't you remember how you opened it before, Peg? The wooden doll shook her head sadly.

Well, never mind, said Wag comfort. Once we find Ruggetto, we can make him tell. We'd better start right off, because if any of the people around here saw us, they might try to capture us and put us in a circus. We are rather unusual, you know?" The rabbit regarded Peg Amy complacently. One doesn't see six-foot rabbits and live dolls every day, even in Oz. No, agreed Pegg Amy slowly.

I suppose not." The moon, looking down on the strange pair, ducked behind a cloud to hide her smile. For the giant funny money strutting about pompously, an old-fashioned wooden peg in her torn frock were enough to make anyone smile. You think of everything, sighed Pegg, looking affectionately at Wag. Who wouldn't for a girl like you? You're a princess peg. a regular princess.

The rabbit said it with conviction, and again Peg happily smoothed her dress. "'Hep-on!' chuckled Wag, and then I'll hop off. Seating herself on his back and holding tight to one of his long ears, Peg announced herself ready. Then away through the night shot the giant bunny, away toward the western country of the winkies, and each hop carried him twelve feet forward and sent up great spurts of dust behind.

End of Chapter 10 Chapter 11 of Cabo and Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Libri-Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 11 The King of the Illumination While Ruggedo was working all this mischief in the Emerald City, Pompadour and the elegant elephant had fallen into strange company. After the prince's disappearance, Kabumpo stared long and anxiously at the white marble stone with its mysterious inscription.

Knock before you fall in. What would happen if he knocked, as the sign directed? Something upsetting the elegant elephant was sure, else why had Pampa call for help? Gabumpo groaned, for he was a luxurious beast and hated discomfort of any sort. As for falling in, the very thought of it made him shudder in every pound. But selfish and luxurious so he was. The elegant elephant loved Pompa with all his heart.

After all, he had run off with the prince and was responsible for his safety. If Pampa had fallen in, he must fall in. in, too. With a resigned sigh, Kabumpo felt in his pocket to see that his treasures were safe, straightened his robe, and, taking one last long breath, wrapped sharply on the marble stone with his trunk. Without a sound, the stone swung inward, and as Kabumpo was standing on it, he shot headlong into a great black opening. There was a terrific rush of air, and the slab swam back, catching as it did so on the fluttering edge of the elegant elephant's robe of state. This halted his fall for about a second, and then with a spluttering tear the silk fringe

ripped loose and down plunged the elegant elephant trunk over heels. After the third somersault, Gabonpo right side up, fortunately, struck a soft inclined slide, which he shot like a scenic railway train. Great grump! coughed Cabumpo, holding his jeweled headpiece with his trunk. Great! Before he reached the second grump, his head struck the top of the passage with a terrific force,

and that was the last he remembered about his fall. How long he lay in an unconscious state, the elegant elephant never knew. After what seemed several ages, he became aware of a confusion. fused murmur. Footsteps seemed to be pattering all around him, but he was still too stunned to be curious. "'Nothing will make me get up,' thought Cabompo, dully.

"'I'm going to lie here forever and ever and ever and—' Just as he reached this drowsy conclusion, something red-hot fell down his neck, and a voice louder than all the rest shouted in his ear, What are you? Ouch, screamed Cabompo, now thoroughly aroused. He opened one eye and rolled over on his side. A tall, curious creature was bending over him. Its head was on fire, and as Cabompo blinked angrily,

another red-hot shower splattered into his ear. With a trumpet of rage, Cabompo lunged to his feet. The hot-headed person fell over backwards, and a crowd of similar creatures pattered off into the corner and regarded Kabumpo uneasily. They were as tall as pompa, but very thin and tube-like in shape, and their heads appeared to be a mass of flickering flames. Like giant candles, reflected the elegant elephant, his curiosity getting the better of his anger. He glanced about hurriedly.

He was in a huge white-tile chamber, and the only lights came from the heads of its singular occupants. A little distance away, Prince Pompadour sat rubbing first his knees and then his head. It's another faller, said one of the giant candle-men to the other. Two fallers in one day. This is exciting, and ouch it calls itself. I don't care what it calls itself. answered the second candleman crossly. I call it mighty rude.

How dare you blow out our king? shouted the hot-headed fellow, shaking his fist at the elegant elephant. Here, some of you light him up. Blow out your king? Gasped, Kabumpo in amazement. Sure enough, he had. There at his feet lay the king of the candles, stiff and lifeless, and with never a head to bless himself with.

While the elegant elephant stared at the long candlestick figure, a fat little candleman rushed forward and lit with his own head the small black wick sticking out of the king's collar. Instantly the ruddy flame face of the king appeared, his eyes snapping dangerously. Jumping to his feet, he advanced toward Pompadour. "'Is this your ouch?' sputtered the king, jerking his thumb at Cabompo. You must take him away at once. I never was so put out in my life. Me! The hand-dipped king of the whole illumination to be blown out by a bumpy creature without any headlight.

Where's your headlight? He demanded fiercely, leaning over the prince and dropping hot tallow down his neck. Pompah jumped up in a hurry and backed toward Kabumpo. Be careful how you talk to him, roared the elegant elephant, swaying. being backwards and forward like a big ship. He's a prince, the prince of Pumperdink." Kabumpo tossed his trunk threateningly. "'A prince?'

Sputtered the king, changing his tone instantly. "'Well, that's different. A prince can fall in on us any time and welcome. But an ouch, why bring this great clumsy ouch along?' He rolled his eyes mournfully at Cabompo. not an ouch, explained Pampa, who was gradually recovering from the shock of his fall. He is Caboompo, an elegant elephant, and he blew you out by mistake. Didn't you, Cabo?"

Purely an accident, nothing intentional, I assure you, chuckled Caboompo. He was beginning to enjoy himself. If there's any more trouble, I'll blow them all out, he reflected comfortably, for they're nothing but great big candles. seeing their king in friendly conversation with the strangers. The other candlemen came closer, too close for comfort, in fact. They were always leaning over and dropping hot tallow on a body, and the heat from their flaming heads was simply suffocating.

Sing the national air for them, said the candle king carelessly, and the candlemen, in their queer, crackling voices, sang the following song, swaying rhythmically to the tune, Flicker, flicker, candle men, cheer our king and cheer again. Need is waxen, always bright. Cheers the king of candlelight. Kindle lightly, dwindle slightly. Here we burn both day and nightly.

Here we have good times to burn till each one goes out in turn. Thank you, said Papa, mopping his head with his silk handkerchief. "'Thank you very much.' "'Cabompo groaned plaintively, "'for the great elephant was nearly stifled. "'How is it you are so tall and thin?' asked Pompop after an awkward pause. "'How is it you were so short and lumpy and unevenly dipped?' responded King cheer, prompting. "'If I were in your place,' he gave Cabompo a contemptuous glance,

"'I'd have myself re-dipped. "'Where are your wicks? "'And how can you walk about without being lighted?' "'We're not fireworks,' puffed Cabompo indignantly, and then he gave a shrill scream. Ten candlemen tottered and went out, falling to the ground with a great clatter. Then Pampa leaped several feet in the air, and his scream put out five more. "'Stop!' cried King cheer angrily. "'Stand where you are!'

But Cabompo and Pompa neither stopped nor stood where they were. The elegant elephant rushed over to the prince and threw his heavy robe over his head, and just in time, for Pampa's golden locks were a mass of flames. Then the prince tore off his velvet jacket and clapped it to Camompo's tail, which also was blazing merrily. Great grump, rumbled the elegant elephant furiously, when he had extinguished Pampa, and Pampa had extinguished him. I'll put you all out for this. He raised his trunk and pointed it straight at the candleman, who cowered in the far corner.

"'I was only trying to light you up,' wailed a little fellow holding out his hands, pleadingly. "'I thought that was your wick!' he pointed a trembling finger at Cabompo's tail, and another at Pompa's head. "'Wick!' snorted Cabompo in a rage, while the prince ran his hands sorrowfully through his once-lux-in-pom-dor. of which nothing but a short stubble remained. Whick! What would we be doing with wicks? I don't think he met any harm, put in Pompadour, whose kind heart was touched by the little candle man's terror,

and it wouldn't help us any. Thought it was my wick, shrilled Kampo, glaring over his shoulder at his poor scorched tail. He's a wicked little wretch. He's ruined your looks. I know. Papa sighed dismally. No one will want to marry me now.

It's all coming true, Kabumpo, just as counted up, said. Remember, if a thin prince sets out on a fat elephant to find a proper princess, how many yards of fringe will the elephant lose from his robe, and how bald will the prince be at the end of the journey? And we've scarcely begun. Great haystacks, whistled Kabumpo. his little eyes twinkling. So I have lost every bit of fringe from my robe and my tail and half the back of my robe besides.

This is nice, I must say. We only tried to give you a warm welcome, said the king timidly. Warm, welcome! Well, I should think you did, sniffed Cabompo. How do we get out of here? Oh, that's very simple, said the king, cheering up. Tommy, go for the snuffer." Before Cabompo or Pampa realized what this would mean, a little candleman named Tommy

Tallow had returned with a tall black candle-person. He stepped to the side wall, quickly jerked a rope, and down over Cabumpo dropped a great brass snuffer and over the prince another. That ought to put the cross old things out, Pompey heard the king say, just before his snuffer reached the floor. "'This is terrible!' fumed the poor prince, thumping on the sides of the huge brass dome. I might as well have stayed at home and disappeared comfortably. "'Ah, my poor old father and my mother, I wonder where they are now!'

Sunk in gloomy reflection. Pompadour leaned against the side of the snuffer. And one cannot blame him for feeling dismal. The fall down the deep passage, the shock of losing his hair, and now imprisonment under a stifling brass dome were enough to extinguish the hopes of the stoutest-hearted adventurer. "'I shall never find a proper princess,' wailed Pompa, tying and untying his handkerchief. But just then there was a creak from without, and the great dome lifted as suddenly as it had fallen. So suddenly, in fact, that Papa fell flat on his back.

There stood Kabumpo, winding up the long rope with his trunk and grumbling furiously all the while. "'Han, takes more than a snuffer to keep me down,' wease the elegant elephant, hurrying over and jerking the prince to his feet. "'Three humps of my shoulders and off she goes.' "'What makes it so dark?' "'The candlemen have all gone,' sighed Pampa, brushing his hand wearily across his forehead. "'I'll accept that one.' In a distant corner sat Tommy Tallow, and the light from his head was the only light in the

great chamber. He was reading a book with ten leaves and looked up in surprise when he saw the elegant elephant and pompadour approaching. Then he started to sputter and ran toward a bell-rope at the side of the chamber. "'Stop!' shouted Kabumpo. "'Or I'll blow off your head!' At that the little candle-man trembles. so violently that his flamehead almost went out.

Now suppose you show us the way out, snapped the elegant elephant, stamping one big foot until the floor trembled. You could burn out, gasped Tommy faintly. That's what we do. Don't say out, whispered Papa anxiously. We want to go away from here, he explained earnestly. Back on the top of the ground, you know. Oh, whistled Tommy Tallow, his face lighting up.

That's easy. This way, please. He almost ran to a big door at one side of the room, and tugging it open, waved them through. Goodbye, he called, slamming the door quickly behind them. Kabumpo and the prince found themselves in a wide, dim hallway. It slanted up gradually, and there were tall candle guards stationed about a hundred, hundred yards apart all of the way. Are you going to a birthday party or a wedding?

Asked the first guard as they passed him. Wedding? Sniffed Cabompo. Why? Well, hardly any other candles go out of here unless they're needed for a birthday or a wedding, explained the guard, shifting his big feet. You're mighty poorly made, though. What kind of candles do you call yourselves?

Roman, chuckled Cabompo with a wink. We roam around. He added ponderously. "'Do all the candles used above ground come from here?' asked Pampa curiously. "'Certainly,' replied the guard. "'All candles come from Illumi, and they don't like to leave either, because as soon as they strike the upper air, they shrink down to ordinary cake and candle-stick size. Distressing, isn't it?'

"'I suppose it must be,' smiled Pompadour. "'Good-bye.' The guard touched his flame hat, and, combined. Bumpo quickened his pace. I want air, rumbled the great elephant, panting along as fast as he could go. I've seen and felt about all I care to see and feel of the illumination. So have I, the Prince of Pumperdink touched his scorched locks and sighed deeply. Oh, I'm afraid Osama will never marry me now, and Pumperdick will disappear forever.

Don't be a gooch. snapped the elegant elephant shortly, our adventures have only begun. They passed the rest of the guards without further conversation, and after about two hours came to the end of the long, tiled passageway, and stepped upon firm ground again. Gabumpo was terribly out of breath, for the whole way had been uphill. For a full minute he stood sniffing the fresh night air, then turning around, he looked for the opening through which they had.

had come. Not a sign of the passage anywhere. That's curious, puffed the elegant elephant, but never mind. We don't want to go back anyway. I should say not, gasped the prince wearily. Where are we now, Cabompo? Still in the Gellican country, I think, but headed in the right direction. All we have to do is to keep going south, said the elegant elephant cheerfully. But we've had nothing to eat since morning. objected Pompador. That's so, agreed Cabo, scratching his head thoughtfully, and not a house in sight.

But I smell something cooking, insisted the prince, sniffing hungrily. Hmm, so do I, said the elegant elephant, lifting his trunk, and it smells like soup. Let's follow our noses, Papa, my boy. Yours is the longest, laughed the prince, as Cabompo swample swung. him upon the elephants back so guided by the fragrant whiffs that came floating toward them Kabumpo set out through the trees end of chapter 11 chapter 12 of Kabumpo in Oz by Ruth Plummi Thompson this Libri Vox recording is in the public domain chapter 12 the delicious sea of soup strange that we don't see any houses puffed

Kambonpo swinging along rapidly. I hear water, answered Pompa, peering out over Kambonpo's head, and there it is! Rippling silver under the rays of the moon, which shone brightly, lay a great inland sea. The trees had thinned out, and a smooth sandy beach stretched down to the shore. A slight mist hung in the air, and all around was the delicious fragrance of vegetable soup. Somebody's making soup, sighed the prince. But who? And where? Never mind, Pampa, wheeze the elegant elephant, walking down to the water's edge. Perhaps you can catch some fish, and while you cook them I'll go back and eat some leaves.

With a jerk of his trunk, Kabumpo pulled a length of the heavy silver thread from his torn robe and handed it up to Pompa, fastening a jeweled pen to one. Fastening a jeweled pen to one end, the prince cast his line far out into the waves. At the first tug, he drew it in. "'What is it?' asked the elegant elephant, as Papa pulled the dripping line over his trunk. "'Oh, how delicious! How wonderful!' exclaimed the once fastidious prince of Pumperdink. Cabombo could hear him munching away with relish. What is it? he asked again.

A carrot! A lovely red, delicious, tender carrot! Carrot? Who ever heard of a sea carrot? Grunted Caboompo. I'm afraid you're not yourself, my boy. Let me see it. Snaps and crunches as Pompa consumed his strange catch were the only answer.

And in real alarm the elegant elephant moved away from the shore, and in doing so bumped against a white, sign stuck in the sand. Please don't fall in, directed the sign politely. It spoils the soup. Soup? Sputtered Kabumpo. Then another sign caught his eye.

Soup, sea, salted to taste. Help yourself. Come down, come down here directly, cried the elegant elephant, snatching the prince from his back. Here's the soup. A whole seafull. Now all you need is a bowl. Swallowing convulsively the last bit of carrot, Pampa stood staring out over the tossing smoking soupsy.

Every now and then a bone or a vegetable would bob out of the waves, and the poor hungry prince of Pumperdink thought he had never seen a more lovely sight in his life. We'll probably be awarded a china medal for this, chuckled the elegant elephant. Won't old Pumper's eyes stick out when we tell him about it, but now for a bowl." Swinging his trunk gently, Kabumpa walked up the white beach and had not gone more than a dozen steps before he came to a cluster of huge shells. He turned one over, curiously. Why, it's a soup bowl, whistled the elegant elephant.

He rushed back with it to Pompadour, who still stood down. Extremely surveying the soup. I never thought I'd be so thrilled by a common soup bowl, thought Kabumpo, staring at the prince in amusement. He stepped out on a rock and dipped up a bowl of the hot liquid. Here, drink, commanded the elegant elephant, handing the bowl to the prince. Drink to the proper princess and the future queen of Pumperdink. Don't go, beg the prince between gulps, I shall want to. Two, three, several.

Kabumpo laughed good-naturedly. This is the pleasantest thing that has happened to us. Here, have another. Then both Pompah and the elegant elephant gasped. Far out of the bubbling waves arose the most curious figure that they had ever seen, the most curious and the jolliest. He was made entirely of soup bones, and his head was a monster cabbage, with a soup bowl set jauntily on the side for a cap.

For a cabbage head he sang very well, and this was the song to which he kept time by waving a silver ladle. "'Oh, I am the king of the soup, see, yes, I am the king of the deep. My crown is a bowl and my scepter a ladle. I fell in the soup when I fell from the cradle, and I find it exceedingly cheap. I stir it up nightly and pepper it rightly, a liquid perfection you'll find, and here is a roll, sirs, so fill up your bowl, sirs, and think of me after you've dined." When he came to dined, the soup king gave a playful leap and disappeared backward into the waves.

Pompa rubbed his eyes and looked at Caboompo to see whether he had been dreaming. Oh, cried Cabompo, his eyes as round as little saucers. Floating gently toward them were two large, crisp, buttered rolls. The most charming king I've ever met, chuckled Kabumpo, scooping up the rolls and handing them to Pompa. Pompa staring dreamily ahead, first took a drink of soup, then a nibble of roll, too happy for speech. Four times the elegant elephant refill the bowl. Then, his stomach full for the first time since they left Pumperdink, the prince stretched himself out on the sands. "'Now?' puffed the elegant elephant ceremoniously.

"'If you think you've had quite enough, I'll snatch a few bites myself.' Chuckling softly, he made his way back to some young trees and dined luxuriously off their tops. When he returned to the beach, Pampa was fast asleep. and for a few moments Cabompo was inclined to sleep himself. But then, he reflected, Osma may require a lot of coaxing before she consents to marry Pompa, and two of our precious seven days are gone. It is plainly my duty to save Pumperdink. Besides, when Pampa is married, he will be king of Oz.

Then I, the elegant elephant, will be the biggest figure at court. Kaboompo threw up his trunk and trumpeted softly to the stars. Then, giving himself a big shake and a little stretch, he lifted the sleeping prince to his back and started on again. In about two hours he had circled the soup sea, and, guiding himself by a particularly bright and twinkling star, ran swiftly and steadily toward the south. As the first streaks of dawn appeared in the sky, Kabumpo passed through a quaint little Gillican village.

He snatched a bag of rolls from a doorstep and stuck them into his pocket, but he did not stop. And so fast asleep was the little village that except for a few wide-awake roosters no one knew how important a person had passed through. The sky grew pinker and pinker. You have no idea how pink the morning skies in the morning skies and pinker. Naz can be. Just as the sun got out of bed, the elegant elephant came to the wonderful emerald city itself, shining and fairy-like as a dream under the lovely colors of sunrise.

Kabumpo paused and took a deep breath. Even he was impressed, and it took a good bit to impress him. He reached back and touched Pompa with his trunk. "'Wake up, my boy,' whispered Kabumpo in a trembling voice. Wake up and put on your crown, for we have come to the city of your proper princess." Pampa sat up and rubbed his eyes in amazement. Without a word, he took the crown Cabompo handed up to him and set it on his scorched golden head. Accombed as Pompa was to grandeur, for Pumper Dake is very magnificent in its funny old-fashioned way. He could not help but gasp at Osmosphere City.

The lovely green parks, the houses studded with countless emeralds, the shining marble streets filled the prince with wonder. I don't believe she'll ever marry me, he stuttered, beginning to feel quite frightened at his boldness. Nonsense, squeezed Cabompo faintly. He was beginning to have misgivings himself. Sit up now, look your best, and I'll carry you straight into the palace gardens. No one was awake. Even the soldier with the green whiskers lay snoring against a tree, so that Cabompo stole unobserved into the royal gardens. "'I don't see the palace,' whispered Pompa anxiously. "'Wouldn't it show above the trees?'

"'It ought to,' said Cabompo, wrinkling up his forehead. "'But look, who is that?' "'Pompah's heart almost stopped. and even Kabumpo's gave a queer jump. On a golden bench just ahead sat the loveliest person either had seen in all of their eighteen birthdays. "'Ozma!' gasped the elegant elephant, as soon as he had breath enough to whisper, "'What luck! You must ask her at once!' "'Not now?' begged the Prince of Pumperdinink, as Gabumpo unsurimoniously helped him to the ground.

His knee shook, his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. He had never proposed to a fairy princess before in his whole life. Then, all at once, he had an idea. Slipping his hand into the elegant elephant's pocket, he drew out the magic mirror. I'll see if she's a princess, started Pumpa. The elephant shook his head angrily, but was afraid to speak again, lest he disturbed the quiet figure on the bench. and i'll not propose unless she is one said pompa tiptoeing toward the bench without making a sound he suddenly held the mirror before the startled and lovely lady glinda good sorceress of oz flashed the mirror promptly great gooseberries cried glinda springing to her feet in alarm and swinging around on pompa where did you come from after studying a whole day and night in her magic

books, Glinda had returned to the Emerald City to try to perfect her plan for rescuing Osba. From Pumperdink, Your Highness, puffed Cabompo, lunging forward anxiously. He too had seen the words in the mirror, and the fear of offending a sorceress made him quake in his skin, which was loose enough to quake in, dear nose. A thousand pardons, cried the prince, dropping on one knee and taking off his crown, we are seeking Princess Osma, the fairy ruler of Oz. Glenda looked from Kabumpo to the prince, and controlled a desire to laugh. The elegant elephants torn in scorched robe hung in rags from his shoulders, and his jeweled headpiece was dangling over one ear. Pompous clothes were equally shabby, and his almost bald head

with a lock sticking up here and there gave him a singular and comical. appearance. Pomperdink, mused Glenda, tapping her foot thoughtfully. Then, like a flash, she remembered the entry in the book of records. The Prince of Pumperdink is journeying toward the Emerald City. Why did you want to see Asma? asked Glenda anxiously. Perhaps these two strangers could throw some light on the mysterious disappearance of the royal palace. Our country was threatened with disappearance, and I thought He thought Osma might help us, finish the elegant elephant breathlessly.

He did not believe in telling strange sorceresses about everything. Now if Glinda had not been so occupied with the disappearance of the palace and all the dearest people in Oz, she might have been more curious about the disappearance of Pumperdink. As it was, she just shook her head sadly. I'm afraid Osma cannot help you, she said, for Osma herself has disappeared. Osma and everyone in the palace. Disappeared? Trumpeted the elegant elephant, sitting down with a thud.

Great grump! The thing's getting to be a habit. What was to become of Pompa now? Would he never be king? Nor he, Cabompo, ever be known as the most elegant elephant in Oz. Had they made the long journey in vain? Where, when? gasped Prince Pompadour.

Night before last, explained Glinda. I've been consulting my magic books ever since, but have only been able to discover one fact. What is that? asked the Cabompo faintly. They are in Ev, said Glinda, and that a giant carried them off. I came here early this morning

to see whether I could discover anything new. Would you care to see where the castle stood? Did he carry the castle off, too? Shuddered Pampa. Glenda nodded gloomily and led them over to the great hole in the center of the gardens. For a minute she stood watching them. Then, glancing at a golden sun-dial in the center of a lovely flower bed, she murmured, half to herself,

I must be off. Next instant she clapped her hands and down swept a shining chariot drawn by white swans. "'Good-bye!' called Glenda, springing in lightly. I'm off to Ev to try my magic against the giants. Wait here, and when I've helped Osma, perhaps I can help you.' "'Can't we help you? Can't we go?' cried Pampa, running a few steps after the chariot. But Glinda, already high in the air, did not hear him.

And in the wink of an eye, the chariot and its lovely occupant had melted into the the pink morning clouds. Oh, now what do we do? Grown the prince, letting his arms drop heavily at his sides. Do, snorted Cabompo. The thing for you to do is to act like a prince instead of a gooch. There are other ways of getting to eve than by chariot? The thought of Gabumpo in Glinda's chariot made Pompah smile in spite of himself.

There, that's better, said the elegant elephant more pleasantly. Now, what's to hinder us from going to Ev and rescuing Princess Asma? She couldn't help marrying you if you saved her from a giant, could she? But could I save her? That's the question, muttered the prince, looking uneasily at the yawning cavity where the castle had stood. This giant must be a terrible fellow. Pooh, said Kabumpo errily. Who's afraid of giants?

I'll wind my trunk around his leg and pull him to earth. Then you can dispatch the villain. We must get you a sword, though, he added softly. All right, I'll do it, cried the prince, throwing out his chest. The very thought of killing a giant made him feel about ten feet high. Do you know the way to Ev, Kabumpo? We'll have to hurry, because unless I marry Osmov before the seven days are up, my poor old father and mother and all of Pumperdinick will disappear forever.

You see, even Pampa had now got it into his head that Osma was the proper princess mentioned in the scroll. "'We'll start at once,' sighed the elegant elephant a bit ruefully. "'I've had no sleep and precious little to eat, but when you are King of Oz, you can reward old Kabumpo as he deserves.' "'Everything I have will be yours,' cried the prince, giving the elephant, or as much of him as he could grasp a sudden hug. Then each took a long drink from one of the bubbling fountains, and, munching the rolls Gabonpo had picked up in the Gilliken village,

the two adventurers stole out of the gardens. As they reached the gates, Gabonpo paused, and his little eyes twinkled with delight. There lay the soldier with the green whiskers snoring tremendously, and beside him was a long time. sharp sword with an emerald handle. Just what we need, chuckled Kabumpo, snatching it up with his trunk. Then out through the gates and swiftly through the still-sleeping city swept the elegant

elephant and the prince of Pumpernink off to rescue Princess Asma, a prisoner in Ev. End of Chapter 12. Chapter 13 of Kabumpo and Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Libre Vox recording is in the public. domain chapter 13 on the road to eve in their journey to ev peg and wag had a night's start of Cabompo and Prince Pumpador but towards morning Wag's ears began to droop with sleep got a natch a sap Pegg wagg muttered thickly as they halted on a little hill natch a sap what's that asked the wooden doll anxiously

Whag made no answer, just flopped on his side, and in a minute was asleep and snoring tremendously. Oh, whispered Peg, pulling herself gently from beneath the sleeping rabbit. He meant Snatch a nap. She laughed softly and seated herself under a small tree. The birds were beginning to waken, and their singing filled Peg Amy with delight. How wonderful it all is, she murmured, gazing up at the little roughly pink clouds. How wonderful it is to be alive! Hello, Mr. Robin, she called gaily as the bird flew to a low bush beside her.

Are your children quite well? The Robin swung backward and forward on his swaying branch, then burst into his best morning song. Oh, cried Peggy, clasping her. her wooden hands. I've heard that before. But how could I?" she reasoned. I'm only a wooden doll, and this is the first morning I have been alive. But then how did I know it was a robin?" Peg rubbed her wooden forehead in perplexity, for it was all very puzzling indeed. Below their little hill stretched the lovely land of the Winkies with its gray-green forests and little

yellow villages. The wind sent the leaves dancing above Peg's head, and the early sunbeams made lovely patterns on the grass. "'I've seen it before!' gasped the wooden doll breathlessly. "'The trees, the birds, the houses, and everything!' Springing to her feet, she ran awkwardly from bush to tree, touching the leaves and bending over the flowers as if they were old friends. Had it not been for the squeaking of her wooden joints, Peg but almost have forgotten she was a wooden doll,

for at the sight of the lovely green-growing thing something warm and sunny seemed to awaken in her stiff wooden breast. "'I've been alive before,' said Peg Amy over and over. Suddenly, through the still morning air, came a loud shrill laugh. Peg, who had been standing with her cheek pressed closely against a small tree, swung around quickly, so quickly in fact that she fell over and lay in a ridiculously bent double position before the newcomers. It was Cabompo and the Prince of Pumperdink. Traveling by the same road, Wag had chosen, but much more rapidly, the elegant elephant

had come at sunrise to the little hill. He had been watching Peg for some time, and when he saw her dance awkwardly over to the tree, he could no longer restrain himself. Ho! Ho! Go! Get out your mirror! Roared Kibumpo, shaking all over with mirth. Here is your proper princess, Pampa, my boy. As royal a maiden as the country boasts. Ho! ho, crump! Don't be ridiculous, snapped Pumpa, looking down curiously at the comical figure of Peg, Amy.

"'But she's so funny,' gasped Kabumpo, the tears rolling down his big cheeks. "'Who's funny?' demanded an angry voice. And Wag, who had been awakened by Kabumpa's loud roars, hopped up, his ears quivering with rage. "'I'll pull your long nose for you,' cried Wag, advancing threateningly. "'Don't you dare make fun of Peg? What are you, anyway?' "'Great grump!' choked Cabompo without answering Wag's inquiry. What kind of rabbit is this?

A clawing, choying, scratching kind, as you'll soon find out. Wag drew himself up into a ball and prepared to launch himself at Cabompo's head when Pegg straightened up and caught him by the ear. Don't Wag, please, she begged. He couldn't help laughing. I am funny. You know I am. She sighed a bit ruefully.

You're not funny to me, blustered Wag, still glaring at Cabompo. Who does he think he is? I, sniffed Cabompo, spreading out his ears complacently. I am the elegant elephant of Pumperdink. Notice my pearls, gaze upon my robe. You don't look very elegant to me, snorted Wag. You look more like a tramp. Says he's a lelegant elephant from Dumperdink.

he whispered cornfully to Peg. And what's that you've got on your back? He called with a wave of his paw at Pompa. A dunce? Dunce! screamed Cabompo furiously. This is the Prince of Pumpur-Dink, you good-for-nothing, lettuce-eater. What do you mean by laughing at royalty?

Royalty! Ho! ho! ha! ha! Roared wag, rolling over and over in the grass. Ha! But he's so far. funny!" he paused to take another look at the prince. At this, Kabumpo lunged forward, his eyes snapping angrily. "'Stop!' begged the prince, talking Kabumpo by the ear.

You were rude to his friend, that—doll, so you must expect him to be rude to me. It's all your fault,' he added reproachfully. "'Are you a prince?' asked Pegg Amy, staring up at Pompo with her round-painted eyes. "'Of course he's a prince, didn't I say so before? Who is that hoppy creature?' "'That's wag! Such a dear fellow!' Pegg smiled confidently at Cabompo, and he was suddenly ashamed of himself for laughing at her.

"'Well, he needn't get waggish with me,' grumbled the elegant elephant in a lower voice. "'Oh, don't quarrel!' begged Pegg. "'It's such a lovely morning, and you both look so interesting.' "'Kabumpo I, the big wooden doll, attentively. "'It was smart of her to think him interesting.' "'He cleared his throat, gruffly. "'You're not as funny as you look,' he admitted grandly, "'which was the nearest to an apology he had ever come.

"'But what are you doing here, and why are you alive?' "'I don't know,' explained Peg, apologetically. "'It just happened last night.' "'It did? "'Well, where are you going?' Wag still looked cross and his nose was twitching violently, but Pegg politely answered Kabumpo's question. We're on our way to Ev to try to help Asma, said the wooden doll, folding her hands quaintly.

Why, so were we, cried Pampa, sliding down Cabompo's trunk in a hurry. How do you expect to help her? grunted Kabumpo, looking at Wag and Pegg contemptuously. "'Don't mind him,' begged Pampa, running up to Peg Emy. "'Tell me everything you know about Asma. Is she pretty?' "'Beautiful,' breathed Peg, looking up at the sky. "'Beautiful and lovely and good. That's why I want to help her.' "'Then I shan't mind marrying her at all,' said Pampa with a great sigh of relief. "'Gooch!' roared Kabumpo angrily, telling everything you know.

"'Do you mean to say you think Osma would marry you?' gasped Wag, sitting up with a jerk. "'Oh, my walks and hoopsoons!' His ears crossed and uncrossed, and with the final gurgle of disbelief, Wag fell back on the grass. "'Is there anything so strange in that?' asked Pompa in a hurt voice. "'I've got to marry her,' he added desperately, appealing to Peg Amy. And while Kabumpo stood sulkily swinging his trunk, the prince told Peg the whole story of the magic scroll. I said you looked interesting, breathed Pegg as pomp a pause for breath. Did you hear that wag?

Unless he marries a proper princess in a proper time, his whole kingdom will disappear. His kingdom and everyone in it. But how do you know Asma is the proper princess? asked Wag, chewing a blade of grass. The scroll didn't say Osma, did it? Gabonpo thinks Osma is the proper princess, explained Pompadour, nodding toward the elegant elephant, and he's usually right. "'Hn't, sniffed, Wag.

Well, maybe you are a prince. You're not really bad-looking if you had some fur on your head,' he remarked more amiably. "'What happened? Somebody pulled it out?' "'Oh, Wag!' murmured. heard Peg Amy in a shocked voice. Burned off, sighed Papa, and proceeded to tell of their fall into the illumination. He even told them about the soup-sea and their meeting with Glenda the Good. Don't you care, said the big wooden doll as Papa mournfully rubbed his scorched head.

It will soon grow again, and I don't see how Osma could help loving you. You're so tall and so polite. This kind little speech effect. affected Pompas so deeply that he dropped on one knee and raised Peg's wooden hand to his lips. The creature has a lot of sense, mumbled Kabumpo with his mouth full of leaves. "'Creature!' exclaimed Wag, sitting up straight and opening his eyes wide. Her name is Pegg, Amy, Mr. Nellagent L elephant. Oh, all right, sniffed Kabumpo hastily.

But you'll have to admit she's curious. "'Of course she is,' said Wag complacently. "'That's why I like her. "'She wasn't cut out to be a beauty, "'but to be companionable, and she is. "'When you've known Peg as long as I have—' "'Wag paused impressively. "'You'll be proud to carry her on your back, Mr. Longnose.

"'I've only known her a few minutes, and I adore her,' said Papa heartily. "'Mistress Peg and I are good friends already.' Peg curtsied awkwardly. "'I've done this before,' she reflected curiously to herself. "'Shall we tell him about Ruggero?' Peg asked aloud, turning to Wag. "'Yes, do,' begged Pampa. "'Tell us something about yourselves. "'I never saw so large a rabbit in my life as Wag, and as for you,'

"'Pompa paused, for Wag was eyeing him reasonfully. "'You are the largest most delightful. nightful doll I have ever met, the only alive one I might say. How did you know about Osma's disappearance? And how were you going to help her? Mixed magic, whispered wag, crossing his ears and his eyes as well. Mixed magic. Magic?

Gulp, Cabompo, swallowing a branch of sticky leaves whole. Have you any magic? A whole boxful, side peg, Amy. patting her pocket softly. "'In that box is the magic "'that brought peg to life,' "'shriled wag, pointing a trembling paw. "'In that box is the magic

"'that made us grow. "'In that box is the magic "'that caused Osma's castle "'to disappear.' "'Great grump,' whistled Kabumpo. "'How fortunate we fell in with them, Papa!' "'He held out his trunk. "'Give me the box, my good girl,

"'and you shall be fittingly rewarded "'when Papa is the king.' of Oz. That's a long time to wait, chuckled wag, tickled by Cabompo's outrageous impudence. No, Peg and I will just keep the box, thank you. Of course you will, said Prince Pompadour, frowning at Cabompo. But as we are both bound on the same errand, let us travel together. Cabompo and I are going to kill the giant who ran off with the castle.

The prince held up his long sword. And if you can help us, I shall thank you from the bottom of my heart. Papa stretched out his hand impulsively. Well, that's more like it, said Wag, pulling his ear thoughtfully. And foreheads are better than two. Of course we'll help you, cried Peg, Amy. The trouble is we don't know ourselves how to open the magic box, but we do know that Rugetto is in Ev, and when we get there we will make him open the box.

and undo all this mischief. You mentioned him before, said Gabonpo, holding up his trunk. Who is Ruggetto, and what is he to do with Osma? Ruggetto is a wicked little gnome, explained Pegg Amy gravely. He used to be king of the gnomes, but he was banished from his kingdom, and Osma gave him a little cottage in the Emerald City. He pretended to live there, but instead he tunneled a cave right under the underneath the palace.

Wag helped him dig. Peg waved her hand at the rabbit, and he was the only one who would stay with him. Then Ruggetto stole me. I was only a small, unalive doll, belonging to Trot, a little girl who lives with Osma. Ruggetto stole me just to shake, continued Peg, shuddering. That's why I'm going to pound his curly toes off, screamed Wag, beginning to hop about of the very thought of Ruggetto. But how did you come to be so large and alive? asked Kambunpo, who was growing more interested.

Well, one night, Peg dropped her voice to a whisper, one night, Ruggiero found this box of mixed magic hidden in the cave, and then—' Then, screamed waggarsely, in some way we don't understand. Peg and I grew big. Peg came alive, the top blew off the cave. And depend upon it, whatever has happened to Osborne and her palace happened from something in that box. It's all Ruggetto's fault. When I catch him!" Wag began to wiggle his nose and paw his whiskers.

My walks and hoopsoons! I'll pound his curly toes off." And I'll help you, cried Kibumpo heartily. He could not help but admire a such spirit. Come on, let's start. You may ride on my back. with Pompah, if you care to. Finish the elegant elephant with a side-long glance, said Peg.

"'Oh, thank you,' smiled the wooden doll. But Wag will carry me. "'I always carry Peg,' said Wag jealously. I've known her the longest." "'Oh, all right,' sniffed Kibompo, lifting Pompa up. But if she ever wants to ride on my back she may." "'Hem,' grunted Wag as the wooden doll settled herself on his shoulders. Isn't he generous?"

Peg pulled down one of Wag's long ears. It was kindly meant, whispered the wooden doll merrily. Ready? Puffed Cabompo, backing out into the road. We've no time to lose, for if we lose time, we lose our kingdom too. Forward for Pumpernink. All right, cried Wag, giving a great leap. Follow me.

and off-hopped the giant bunny so fast that Cabompo had to stretch his legs even to keep him in sight. End of Chapter 13. Chapter 14 of Cabompo in Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Libri Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 14. Terror in Osmas Palace. Meanwhile, strange things had been happening in Osmas Palace. For the people inside, it had been a very mean time indeed.

During Ruggettos run to the mountains of Ev, they had almost been shaken out of their wits, and when he sat down upon the mountaintop there was not a person nor piece of furniture standing in the whole palace. Courteers and servants, who were not knocked senseless, lay shaking in their beds, or huddled in corners and under sofas and chairs, just as they had fallen when the first terrible crash lifted the palace into the air. Osma's four-poster bed had collapsed, pinning the little fairy princess under a mass of silk hangings and curtain poles.

Being a fairy, Osma was unhurt, but not being able to move nor to reach her magic belt or even make herself heard, she was forced to lie perfectly still and wait for help. In Dorothy's sitting-room there was not a sound but the ticking of the copper man's machinery. Trot and Betsy Bobbin had knocked their heads together so smartly that they were unconscious. Sir Hocus had been hurled violently against Tick-Tock, and the poor knight had known nothing since. Dorothy lay quietly beside him, an ugly bruise on her forehead where the emerald clock had landed. "'Scraps!' called a scarecrow, some time after the rumble and tumble had ceased. "'Are you there?'

"'No, here!' gasped the patchwork girl, sitting up cautiously. She had bounced all around the room and finally rolled into a corner quite close to the scarecrow himself. She put out her cotton hand as she spoke and touched him. "'How fortunate we are unbreakable!' said the scarecrow. pressing her cotton fingers convulsively, and trying to peer out through the intense blackness of the room. What happened?

Earthquake! shivered scraps, and maybe it's not over. Must have knocked everybody silly, said the scarecrow huskily. He except us, giggled the patchwork girl. We couldn't be knocked silly because we were silly in the first place. Now don't make jokes, please, begged the scarecrow. This is serious. Besides, I want to think." "'All right,' said Scraps cheerfully.

I don't, but I'm going to feel around and see if I can find the matches. There used to be some candles on the mantle, and—' As she spoke, Scraps fell headlong over Sir Hocus of Pokes, and as luck would have it, her cotton fingers closed over a small gold matchbox. Picking herself up carefully, Scraps struck a match on Sir Hocus's armor and looked anxiously around the room. They need water, said the patchwork girl, wrinkling up her patchwork forehead. So will you if you don't blow out that match, cried the scarecrow in alarm, for Scraps

continued to hold the match till it burned to the very end. He jumped up clumsily and puffed out the light just in time. Scraps promptly lit another, and as she did some, so, the scarecrow saw a tall blue candle sticking out of the waist-basket. Here, said the straw man nervously, light this, and stand it on the mantle there. By the flickering candlelight the scarecrow and scraps tried to set Dorothy's room to rights. They dragged the mattress from the bedroom and placed the little girls on it side by side. Sir Hocus was too heavy to move, so they merely loosened his armor and put a sofa cushion under his head. Then, just as Scraps was going for some water, the room began to tremble again.

I told you it wasn't over, cried Scraps, flinging both arms about the scarecrow's neck. And as they rocked to and fro, she shouted merrily. Shaker, shaker, who art thee to shake a castle like a tree? Shaker, shaker, go away and come again some other day. Now, Scraps, begged the scarecrow, steadying the patchwork girl with one hand and catching hold of a table with the other. Everything depends on us. Do try to keep your head."

"'Keep my head!' shrilled Scraps, as the room tilted over and slid all the furniture sideways. "'I'll be lucky if I keep my feet. Whoopee! Here we go!' And go, they did, with a rush into the farthest corner. Slowly the room righted itself and everything grew quiet again. I know what I'm going to do, said the scarecrow determinedly.

Before anything else happens, I'm going to see what has happened already." How? asked Scraps, bouncing to her feet. The magic picture! gasped the scarecrow. You bring the candle scraps like a good girl. You're less liable to take fire than I am. Then we'll come back and help Dorothy and the others. "'Good idea,' said Scraps, taking the candle from the mantle. Breathlessly the two tiptoed along the hall to Osma's apartment.

On the wall in one of Osma's rooms hangs the most magic possession in Oz. It is a picture representing a country scene, but when you ask it where a certain person is, immediately he is shown in the picture and also what he is doing at the time. So, murmured the scarecrow, as they gain the room in safety. If it tells where other people are, it ought to tell us where we are ourselves. Drawing aside the curtain that covered the picture, the scarecrow demanded loudly, Where are we? Scraps held the candle so that its flickering rays fell directly on the picture.

Then both jumped in earnest, for in a flash the face of Rogeto the wicked old. old gnome king appeared on his head a great green towering sort of hat. The scarecrow seized the candle from scraps and held it closer to the picture. He squinted up one eye and almost rubbed his painted nose off. Great kinkajus, spurred the strawman distractedly. That's a palace on his head. An emerald palace. Osma's palace.

But how? As Scraps, her suspender buttoned eyes almost dropping out, he's nothing but a gnome, he's— Before Scraps could finish her sentence, the palace began to tilt forward, and they both fell upon their faces. Then the picture jerked loose and fell with a clattering slam on their heads, followed by such ornaments as had not already tumbled down before. Through it all, Scraps held the candle high in air, and fortunately it did not go up. out despite the turmoil. In a few minutes the palace stopped rocking, and a muffled call from Osma sent the scarecrow and scraps hurrying to her bedside.

After some trouble, for they were both flimcely made, they managed to free the little princess of Oz from the poles and bed curtains. Oh, goodness! sighed Osma, looking around at the terrible confusion. Not goodness, but badness, said the scarecrow. settling his hat firmly, and Ruggiero is at the bottom of it and of us. He quickly explained to Osma what he had seen in the magic picture. Slipping on a silk robe, Osma followed them into the next room. When the picture had been re-hung, they all looked again.

This time, Osma asked where the palace was. Immediately the old gnome king appeared, and there could be no mistake. The palace was set square. Wearily on his head. The picture did not show the real size of Rogeto, nor of the palace, but it was enough. He must have sprung into a giant, gasped Asma, scarcely believing her eyes. Oh, what shall we do? The first thing to do is to keep him quiet.

Every time he shakes his head it tumbles us about so, complained the scarecrow, plumping up the straw in his chest. And we must look after Dorothy. and Betsy and Trot." And Sir Hocus, added the patchwork girl flinging out one hand. He's yearning to slay a giant. Way for the giant killer! Without waiting for the others, Scraps ran back to Dorothy's sitting room, lighting another candle for all the lights in the pallets were out.

Osma and the scarecrow followed. Odds goblins, gasped the night as they entered. He was sitting up with one hand to his head. Not goblins, giants! cried the patchwork girl with a bounce, while Osma ran for some water to restore her three little friends. Where? Puff the knight, lurching to his feet. Beneath you, said the scarecrow, clutching at a wisp of straw that stuck out of his head.

Say, someone wind up Tick-Tock. There's a lot of thinking to be done here, and his head works very well, even if it has wheels inside. Sir Hocus, though still a bit dizzy, hastened to wind up all the copper man's keys. Thanks, said Tick-Tock immediately. Give me a lift-up, Hocus. The knight obligingly helped the copper man to his feet. Then both stared in amazement at the topsy-turvy room.

Even in the dim candlelight they could see that something very serious had occurred. Jack Pumpkinhead picked himself up out of a corner, looking very much dazed. Just then Dorothy opened her eyes, and Betsy and Trot, sputtering from the water the patchwork girl was pouring on their heads, sat up and wanted to know what had happened. In a few words, Osma told them what the magic picture had revealed. Ruggetto to a giant's groan and set us on his head. We've made some headway you'd admit since we have gone to bed, shouted Scraps who was growing more and more excited."

Rogato will never re-form, ticked the copper man, sadly. But what are we going to do, well, Dorothy? Suppose he leans over and spills us all out. I shall take my sword, said Sir Hocus, speaking very determinedly, and backing toward the window as he spoke. Climb down and slay the villain. He threw one leg over the sill. Come back, cried Osma.

Dear Sir Hocus, don't you realize that if you kill Ruggiero, he will fall down and break us to pieces? Besides, wicked as he is, I could not have him killed. Yes, we should be all broken up if you did that, sighed the scarecrow. We must try something else." Reluctantly the night dropped back into the room. Close the windows, ordered Osma with a little shudder. I've thought of a plan, said TikTok in his slow, painstaking way.

A very good plan. Tell us what it is, begged Dorothy. And, oh, Tick-Tock, hurry. Eggs, said the copper man solemnly. Oh, gasped Dorothy. I remember, eggs are the only thing in Oz that Ruggetto is afraid of. for if an egg touches a gnome, he shrivels up and disappears. Then where are the eggs? demanded Sir Hocus, gloomily.

In faith this sounds more like an omelette than a battle. But if we're to fight with eggs instead of swords, let us draw them at once. You mean throw them, corrected Dorothy. But Tick-Tock shook his head violently. Not throw them, said the copper man slowly. threaten to throw them. But how can we threaten a giant so far below us? asked Osma.

Print a sign, directed TikTok calmly, and lower it down to him. TikTok, cried the scarecrow, rushing forward and embracing him impulsively. Your patent action double-guaranteed brains are marvels. I couldn't have thought up. a better plan myself. Now off ran scraps to fetch a huge piece of cardboard, and the scarecrow for a paintbrush and Sir Hocus for a piece of rope.

It's growing lighter, quavered trot, looking toward the windows. The sky was turning gray with little streaks of pink, and the three girls huddled together on the mattress gave a sigh of relief, for nothing not even a giant seemed so bad by daylight. Perhaps someone has already started to help us, said Osma, hopefully. But here's the signboard. What shall we write? How shall I begin? asked the scarecrow, dipping the brush into a can of green paint. Dear Ruggiero, I should say not, said Dorothy indignantly. Then I shall simply say, sir, said the scarecrow.

If you move or turn or shake your head again, 10,000 eggs will be hurled from the palace windows," suggested TikTok. As this message met with general approval, the scarecrow set it down with many flourishes and blotches of paint spill between them. Then Osma painted her name and the Royal Seal of Oz at the end. Meanwhile, with the help of a pair of field glasses, Sir Hocus had located Rogetto's nose, sticking out like a huge cliff below the middle window of Dorothy's room. So tying a long rope to each corner of the sign and rolling it up so it would go through the window, the night led it down till it dangled directly in front of Rugato's nose.

At first, Rugato did not even see the sign, which was about as large as the tiniest visiting card compared to him. But it blew against his face and tickled his cheek. He tried to brush it away. Then, suddenly, noticing it was dangling from above, he seized it with one hand and held it close to his left eye. The words were so small for a giant that Ruggetto had to squint fearfully before he could make them out at all. But when he did, he gave a blood-curdling scream and began to tremble violently. Up in the palace the entire company fell over and twenty windows.

were shaken to bits. Then everything grew quiet, and there was perfect silence, for Ruggetto, realizing his danger, grew rigid with fright. Giant drops of perspiration trickled down his forehead. How long could he keep from moving? Well, said Dorothy after a few minutes had passed, I guess that will keep him quiet, but what next? Shall we let ourselves down with ropes?

We have none long enough, said Sir Hocus. Then I'll fall out and go for help, said the scarecrow brightly, and started toward the window. When he reached it, he paused in astonishment. Look, he cried, waving excitedly to the others. Here comes someone walking right over the clouds. End of Chapter 14. Chapter 15 of Cabompo and Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Librivox recording is in the public domain.

Chapter 15. The Sandman takes a hand. Someone was coming toward the palace. A little gray-cloaked old gentleman, a surprisingly quick and nimble old gentleman, springing from cloud to cloud and pausing now and then to straighten a huge sack he carried over his left shoulder. He was so busy admiring the lovely sky. colors behind him and waving merrily at the fluffy cloud figures above his head that he did not see Osma's shining palace until he was almost upon it. Stars!

Murmied the little old gentleman, balancing perilously on the very edge of a silver cloud. Another air castle! How delightful! I shall jump right through it! Gathering himself together he leaped straight toward the window, out of which Dorothy and Osma and the others were looking. With a soft thud he struck the emerald setting just above the window, and down tumbled his sack, opening as it fell and filling the air with clouds of silver sand.

Down tumbled the little old gentleman, turning over and over and finally landing on a blankety white cloud far below. All of this Dorothy saw and was about to ask Osma what it could mean when an over the over overpowering drowsiness stole over her. Before she could speak, her eyes closed, and she sank backward into a big armchair. Trot and Betsy Bobbin with two little sighs crumpled down to the floor. The head of Sir Hocus dropped heavily on the sill,

and not even in pokes had he snored so lustily. Osmos slipped gently down beside Betsy and Trot, and in a moment there was not a person awake in that whole big palace. Even the little mice in the kitchen were fast asleep with heads on their paws. Did I say everyone? Well, not quite everyone had fallen under the strange spell. Tick-tock, Scraps, and the scarecrow, who had never slept in their lives, were still wide awake, and regarding their companions with astonishment and alarm.

The tin woodman was taking things calmly, oiling up his joints and polishing his tin jacket with silver polish. "'This is no time to sleep!' cried the scarecrow, shaking Sir Hocus. "'I say, wake up!' But all their efforts to arouse their companions were in vain. Enchantment,' said the copper man. Some, with a click and they were, Tick-Tock's machinery ran down. And as Scraps and the Scarecrow were too upset to think of winding him, he stood as silent and dumb as the rest.

"'What shall we do?' cried the scarecrow, seizing Scraps' arm. "'Jump out of the window and go for help or stay here and guard the palace.' Scraps looked out the window. "'Stay here,' shuddered the patchwork girl, drawing in her head quickly. "'Then,' said the scarecrow, "'let us arm ourselves. and prepared to withstand any attack. He snatched up a pair of fire-tongs and scraps grasped the poker. Falling into step, the two marched from the top to the bottom of the palace.

Everywhere the same sight met their gaze. Rooms turned topsy-turvy and spread over floors and sofas and chairs the sleeping figures of Osama's once lively courtiers and servants. The effect was so distressing that Scraps and the scarecrow found themselves whispering and treading about on tiptoe. After inspecting the whole palace, they returned to Dorothy's room and placed themselves disconsolately in the doorway. Anyway, Ruggiero is quiet, sighed the scarecrow, and that is something.

Scraps started to make averse, but the silence and the ghost-like atmosphere of the sleeping palace, had dashed even the spirits of the patchwork girl, and she subsided with an indistinct mumble. Ruggetto was silent for a very good reason. Ruggetto was asleep, too. A sleep sitting up as stiff as a stone image, for even in his sleep he dreamed of the dreaded bombardment of eggs. All this had happened, because the little man in gray had taken Osba's palace.

for an air castle, and who could blame him for that? Even the sandman would not expect to find a regular palace set among the clouds. There are plenty of dream castles to be sure, and one of the sandman's chief delights is to jump through them and admire their lovely furniture. But sure enough castles, the little fellow could not get over it. Sitting cross-legged on the white cloud which floated close to Rigetto's head, he stared and stared. Well, I never, chuckled the Sandman, and turned a somersault for very amazement.

Then, not knowing what else to do or think, he sensibly decided to hurry home and tell the whole affair to his wife. His empty bag he found on a tall treetop, and without one backward glance he bounded into the air and disappeared. Really, it was quite lucky the little old gentleman spilled his bowed. bag of sand where he did, for the only safe giant is a sleeping giant, and while Osma and her friends lay dreaming, they could not worry. "'Will they sleep forever?' side scraps after she and the scarecrow had set silently for an hour.

"'Seems likely,' said the scarecrow gloomily. "'But even if they do,' he plucked three straws from his chest, we shall stick to our post to the very end. The scarecrow regarded the sleeping figures of the little girls affectionately. To the end of forever? Gulp scraps putting her cotton finger in her mouth. How long is that? That, said the scarecrow resignedly in settling himself comfortably,

is what we shall soon see. End of chapter 15. Chapter 16 of Cabo. Cabo and Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Libri Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 16. Cabo vanquishes the twigs. Do you think you were alive before?

asked Cabompo, squinting down his long trunk at Pegg Amy. She had begged him to take off his plush robe, and, spreading it on the grass, was beating it briskly with a branch of a tree. Yes, sighed the wooden doll, pausing with uplifted stick, and regarding Kabo solemnly. I must have been alive before, because I keep remembering things. What kind of things? asked the elegant elephant, rubbing himself lazily against a tree. Well, this, for instance, said Peg, holding up a corner of the purple plush robe. I once had a dress of it.

I'm sure I had a dress of this stuff. When you were a little doll? asked Cabompo curiously. No, said Pegg, giving the robe a few little shakes. Before that. And I remember this country, too. And the sun and the wind and the sky. If I'd only been alive one day I wouldn't remember them, would I? Queer things happen in Oz, said Cabompo comfortably. But why bother? You are alive. Live and very jolly.

You are traveling with the most elegant elephant in Oz, and in the company of a prince. Isn't that enough? Peg Amy did not reply, but kept on beating the plush robe with determined little thumps and staring off through the trees with a very puzzled expression in her painted blue eyes. They had traveled swiftly all morning through the fertile farmlands of the Winkies and had paused for lunch in this little grove. Peg, not needing food, and Cabompo, finding plenty of tender branches handy, had remained together while Wag and the Prince sought more nourishing fare.

Many a little Winky farmer had stared in amazement as Peg and Pampa passed that morning, but so fast did Cabompo and Wag travel that before the Winkies were half sure of what they had seen, there was nothing but a cloud of dust to wander over and exclaim about. "'If you had a pair of scissors, I could cut off the burn part of your robe and make it more tidy,' said Pegg, when she had finished beating the dust out of Cabompo's gorgeous blanket. "'There might be a pair in my pocket,' said the elegant elephant. "'Here, let me get them,' he added hastily. "'For suppose she should look into the magic mirror,' he thought suddenly.

It might tell her something terrible.' Even in this short time, Cabompo had grown fond. of queer wooden peg, and careless as he was, somehow he did not want to hurt her feelings again. Sure enough, there was a pair of silver scissors in with the jewels he had tumbled into his pocket before leaving pumperdink. So peg carefully cut away all the scorched parts of Cabompo's robe, and pinned under the rough edges with three beautiful pearl pins.

Now lift me up into that small tree and I'll drop it over. you," she laughed gaily. This, Cabompo did quite easily, and after Pegg Amy had smoothed and adjusted the robe, she crept out on the end of the branch and straightened the elegant elephant's pearl headdress and brushed all the dust from his forehead with a handful of damp leaves. "'You're a good girl, Pegg,' said Cabompo, sighing with contentment. "'I don't care whether you never were alive before or not. You've more sense than some people who've lived for centuries.

I'm going to give that gnome something of my own account. Dare to shake you, did he? Well, wait till I get through shaking him. It didn't hurt, said Pegg reflectively, but it ruined all my clothes. Do you think Prince Pompadour mine's having me look so shabby? Cabompo shifted about uneasily. Will this help? He asked, sheepish.

pulling a lovely pearl necklace from his pocket. Osma doesn't need everything, he muttered to himself. Oh, how perfectly pomiphorous! cried Pegg. Lift me down so I can try it on. In a trice, Cabompo swung her down from the tree, and awkwardly Pegg Amy clasped the chain about her wooden neck. Then she flung both arms round Cabompo's trunk. You're the biggest darling old elephant in Oz,

cried Pegg happily. Cabompo blinked. He was accustomed to being called elegant and magnificent, but no one, not even Pompa, had ever called him an old darling before, and he found he liked it immensely. While Pegg ran to look at her reflection in a small pool, he resolved to get the wooden doll a position at court,

far in spite of her stiff fingers. Peg was very deft and clever. And she shall have a purple plush dress, too, said Kabumpo grandly. Just then, Pomp and Wag returned in a high good humor. The prince had tapped on the door of a small farmhouse, and the little winky lady had been most hospitable. Not only has she given the prince all he could eat, but she had allowed Wag to go into the garden and pick two dozen of her best cabbages.

His size had greatly astonished her, and she had insisted upon measuring him twice with her yellow tape measure, but finally without revealing the purpose of their journey, the two managed to get away. As all were now refreshed and rested, they decided to start on again. "'We ought to reach F by evening,' puffed Wag between hops. "'But I wish we could open the magic box,' side peg, holding on to Wags here, for in that box There's flying fluid." We'd make a remarkably nice lot of birds, chuckled Kabumpo, looking over his shoulder.

Now wouldn't we? You would, laughed Pampa. What else was in the box, Peg? It was hard to talk while they were being jolted along, but Peg, being of wood, did not feel the bumps, and Pompa, being a prince, pretended not to, so that they continued their conversation in jerky sentences. There's vanishing cream, a little tea kettle, and some kind of rays, and a question box," said Peg, holding up her wooden hand.

A question box that answers any question you ask it." There is! exclaimed Cabompo, stopping short. Well, I wish we could ask it whether Pumpernik has disappeared. And how to rescue Osma? And who sent the scroll? cried Pumpa. Oh, do let me try to open it, Peg. So, Pegg handed over Gleg's magic box, and as they pounded along, the prince tried to pry

it open with his pearl penknife. It would save us such a lot of trouble, he murmured, holding it up and screwing his eye to the keyhole. Better let it alone, advised Wag, wiggling his ears nervously. Suppose you should grow as big for you as I am for me. Suppose you should explode or vanish. Vanish, coughed Kabumpo. Great grump! Put it away, Pumpa. Wait till we reach Ev and make that wicked little roguetto open it for us. Who is this glag, anyway?

A lawless magician, I guess, said Wag. Or he wouldn't have owned a box of mixed magic. Osma doesn't allow anyone to practice magic, you know. Why, I'll bet he was the person who sent the scroll, exclaimed the prince suddenly. Don't you remember, Camumpo? It was signed J. G." "'Not a doubt in the world,' rumbled Kabumpo. "'I'll throw him up a tree when I catch him and ruggerto, too.'

"'Oh, please don't,' begged Peg Amy. "'Perhaps they are sorry.' "'Not as sorry as they will be,' weased Kabumpo, plowing ahead through the long grass, like a big ferryboat under full steam. Whag hopped close behind, and Peg kept her eyes fixed upon Pampa's back. In spite of his scorched head, he seemed to Peg the most delightful prince imaginable. I'll brush off his cloak and cut his hair evenly, thought Peg. Then perhaps Osma will say yes when he tells her his story and asks for her hand.

But I wonder what will become of me, Peg sighed ever so softly, and looked down with distaste at her wooden hands and torn old dress. Nothing very exciting could happen to a shabby wooden doll. Why, I haven't even any right to be alive, she reflected sadly. I'm only meant to be funny. Well, never mind. Perhaps I can help Papa, and maybe that's why I was brought to life. This thought, and the gleam of the lovely pearls Gabonpo had given her,

so cheered Peg that she began to hum a queer, squeaky little song. The country was growing rougher and more hilly every minute. The sunny farmlands lay far behind them now, and as Peg finished her song they came to the edge of a queer, dead-looking forest. The trees were dry and without leaves, and there were quantities of stiff bushes and short-stunted little trees standing under the taller ones. Peg had an odd feeling that hundreds of eyes were staring out at them, but the forest was so dim that she couldn't be sure.

There was not a sound but the crackling of the dead branches under Wag's and Cabompo's feet. "'I don't like this,' choked Wag. "'My walks and hoopsoons! What a peerful chase!' "'It isn't very cheerful,' shivered Peg. "'Oh, look, Wag!' "'That big tree has a little.

as eyes. At Pegg's remarked the tree doubled up its branches into fists and stepped right out in front of them. At the same instant, all the other trees and bushes move closer with dry, crackling steps. Now we have you, snapped the tallest tree in a dreadful voice. Now we have you, crackled all the other skitter-witchy creatures crowding closer. Pigs, pigs, we're tweed. We'll tweak your ears and snatch your wigs." They shouted all together.

One, taller than the rest, leaned over and seized wagged by the ear with its twisted fingers. Help! Scream, Wag, kicking out with his hind legs. Immediately Cabompo began laying about with his trunk. Stand back, he trumpeted angrily, or I'll trample you to splinters. stood up on Cabompo's back and began to wave his sword threateningly. At this the ugly creatures grew simply furious. They snatched at the prince with their long claw-like branches,

tearing at his sadly scorched hair and almost upsetting him. "'Stop, stop!' cried Pegg Amy, waving her wooden arms frantically. Don't hit him. He's going to be married. Hit me. I'm only made of wood. Don't you dare hit her, shrilled Paul.

Pampa, slicing off the branch hat of the nearest twig. I am a prince, and she is under my protection. Don't touch her. By this time, Cabompo had cleared himself a space ahead and wagg a space behind. Every time Cabompo's trunk flew out, a dozen of the queer, crackly bushman tumbled over forward, and every time wags' heels flew out, a dozen crumpled over backward. Pampa kept his sword whirling, and after several had lost top branches, the whole crowd fell back and began grumbling together.

"'Now then?' puffed Cabumpo angrily. "'Let's make a dash for it, wag. Come on. We'll smash them to kindling wood.' "'What's all this commotion?' cried a loud voice. The twigs fell back immediately, and a bent and twisted old tree hobbled forward. "'Stranger is your wood-justy,' whispered a tall twig, waving a branch at Kabumpo. "'Well, have you pinched to them?' asked the king in a board voice.

"'A little,' admitted the tall twig nervously, "'but they object to it, your wood-justy.' "'Well, what if they do?' rasped the king tartly. "'Don't be normish faggots. You know I detest normishness. It seems to me you might allow my people a little innocent diversion," he grumbled, turning to Pampa. They don't get much pleasure." "'Pleasure!' gasped the prince, while Cabompo and Wag were so astonished that they forgot to fight.

"'What does he mean by Gormish?' whispered Pegg uneasily to wag. Before he could answer the Twigs, who evidently had decided not to be Gormish, made a rush upon the travelers. But Cabompo was ready for them with uplifted trunk. With a furious trumpet he charged straight into the middle, wag at his heels, with the result that the twigs went crackling and snapping to the ground in heaps. All we need is the match, grunted Cabompo, pounding along unmindful of the scratching and cloying. They're good for nothing but kindling wood.

Don't be garmish, he screeched scornfully, as he flung the last twig out of his way, and wagon he never stopped till they had put a good mile between themselves and the disagreeable pinchers. Are you hurt? asked Kabumpo, stopping at last, and looking around at Pompa. If we keep on this way you won't be fit to be seen, much less to marry. Let's have a look at you. He lifted the prince down carefully and eyed him with consternation. The prince had seven long scratches on his cheek, and his velvet cloak was torn to ribbons. I declare, sputtered the elegant elephant explosively.

You're a perfect fright. I declare it's a grumpy shame. Well, don't be gormish, said the prince, smiling faintly, and wiping his cheek with his handkerchief. Let me help, begged Peg Amy, falling off wags back. Asma won't mind a few scratches, and what do clovers? matters. Anyone would know he was the prince," she added, taking Pompas cloak and regarding it ruefully.

Papa smiled at Pegg's earnestness and made her his best bow, but Kabumpo still looked anxious. Everyone's not so smart as you, Peg," he sighed gloomily. But come along. The main thing is to rescue Osma, and after that perhaps she won't notice your scratches and torn cloak. She'll think you got them fighting the giant. finished more hopefully. With a few more of Cabompo's jewel pins, Pegg repaired pompous cloak.

Then, after tying up Wag's ear, which was badly torn, they started off again. "'What worries me,' said Wag, twitching his nose very fast. "'What worries me is crossing the deadly desert. We're almost to it, you know.' "'Never cross deserts till you come to him,' grunted Cabompo with a wink at Pegg Amy. Oh, all right, sniffed Wag, but don't be grummish. You know how I detest grummishness. While Papa and Peg were laughing over these last remarks, a most terrible rumble sounded behind them.

Now what, trumpeted Cabompo, turning about. Shep everything's mixed up, gulped Wag, putting back his ears. Hold on to me, Pegg. End of Chapter 16. Chapter 17 of Kabumpo and Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Libri-Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 17. Meeting the Runaway Country Everything was mixed up indeed.

Moving toward the little party of rescuers was a huge, jagged piece of land, running along on ten tremendous feet and feeling its way with its long, wiggly peninsula. The feet raised it several yards above the ground. If we crouch down, maybe it will run over us, panted Pampa, sliding down Kabumpo's trunk. I don't want to be run over, shrilled Wag, beginning to hop in a frenzied circle.

Stop, cried the land and a loud voice as Wag and Kabumpo started to run. "'Better stop,' puffed Kabumpo, his eyes rolling wildly, or it'll probably fall on us. Trembling in spite of themselves, they stood still and waited for the land to approach. "'I've often heard of sailors hailing land with joy,' gulped wag. But this—well, how did it get this way? As the runaway country drew nearer, its peninsula fairly quivered with excitement, and as it reached them it pulled up its front feet and tilted forward to get a better view.

Its eyes were two small blue lakes and its mouth a broad bubbling river. "'I claim you by right of discovery!' cried the land in its loud river voice, and before they could make any objection, it scooped them up neatly and tossed them on a little hill. "'This is outrageous,' spluttered the elegant elephant. Picking Peg out of some bushes, we've been kidnapped. Let's jump off, cried Wag, beginning to hop toward the edge. I wouldn't do that, said the land calmly, because I'd only run after you again.

You might as well settle down and grow up with me. I'm not such a bad little country, it added quietly, just a bit rough and uncultivated. Well, what's that got to do with us? demanded Cabompo, staring the country right in its lake eyes. We're on an important mission, and we haven't time for this sort of thing at all. It's a matter of saving a princess, cried Pumper impulsively. Couldn't you please? Let someone else save her, said the country indifferently,

beginning to move off sideways like a crab. You're the first savages I found, and I'm going to keep you. Not that you're what I'd pick out, it continued ungraciously. That wooden girl looks ungraciously. uncommonly odd, and you two beasts are even queerer. But I'm liberal, I am, and the boy looks all right so far as I can see. "'But look here,' panted wag, twitching his nose very fast. "'This is all wrong. Land is supposed to stand still, isn't it?

You've no right to discover us. We don't want to be discovered. Put us off at once, do you hear?' "'Yes, I hear,' said the runaway country gruffer. and I've heard about enough. Don't anger me, it shrilled warningly. Remember, I'm a wild, rough country. You're the wildest country I ever saw, groaned the elegant elephant, falling up against a tree.

And of all ridiculous happenings, this is the worst. Never mind, whispered Pegg, Amy, standing on her tiptoes to whisper in Cabompo's huge ear. It's taking us a sudden. in the right direction, and maybe if we were very polite. Go ahead and try it, weased Kibumpo, rolling his eyes. I'm too upset. He hugged the tree again.

So Peg climbed to the top of the little hill, and waving her wooden arms to attract the country's attention, called cheerfully, "'Yoo-hoo! Mr. Land! Where are you going?' At first the land only blinked his blue lake eyes, But as Pegg paid no attention to his ill-temper and began making him pretty compliments on his mountains and trees, he gradually cheered up. I'm going to be an island, he announced finally. That's where I'm going. I'm tired of being a hot, dry, old, undiscovered plateau, and I don't intend to stop till I come to the nonestic ocean. Oh, groaned wag, falling over backwards.

We're going to be cast away on a desert island." Peg held up a warning finger. What made you want to run away and be an island? She asked faintly, for even to Pegg things look serious. Well, began the land giving itself a hitch. I lay patiently for years and years waiting to be discovered. Nobody came, not even one little missionary. I kept getting lonelier and lonelier.

You see how broken up I am. Yes, we can see that all right, sniffed Kabumpo. And I'm ambitious, continued the country, huskily. I want to be cultivated and built up like other kingdoms. So one day I made up my mind I wouldn't wait any longer, but would run off myself and discover some settlers. As I have ten mountains and each has a foot, there seemed to be no reason why I should.

didn't run away. So I did, and I have." The country rolled its lakes triumphantly at the little party on the hill. I have found some settlers, and I'm looking to you to develop me into a good modern up-to-Az Kingdom. I'm a progressive country, and I expect you to improve and make something out of me," it continued earnestly. There's gold to be dug out of my mountains, plenty of good-form land to be planted, and cities to be built and what do you think we are, exploded Cabompo indignantly? Slaves. He'll get used to it in time, said the runaway country, paying no attention to Cabompo,

and he'll be useful for drawing logs. Now, you, he turned his watery eyes full on peg, Amy. You seem to be the most sensible one in the party, so I think I shall bestow myself upon you. Of course you're not at all handsome nor regular, but from now on you may consider yourself a princess and me as your kingdom. Thank you. Thank you very much, said Pegg Amy, hardly knowing what else to say. Hurrah for the princess of Runaway Island, cried Wag, standing on his head. I always knew you are a princess, Peg, my dear. Oh, hush, whispered Pampa.

Can't you see it's getting more reasonable? maybe Peg can persuade it to stop. If it doesn't stop soon, I'll tear all its trees out by the roots, grumbled Kabumpo under his breath, logging indeed. Great grump! Here's the deadly desert! The air was now so hot and choking that Pampa flung herself face down on the cool grass. The runaway country did not seem to notice the burning sands

and pattered smoothly along on its tin mountain feet. Something has to be done quick, breathed Peg, clasping her hands, for soon will be an ev. Pampa, holding his silk handkerchief before his face, had come up beside her, and they both looked anxiously for the first signs of the country that held Ruggerow and the giant who had run off with Osma's palace. Oh, Mr. Land, called Peg suddenly. Yes, Princess, answered the country without slackening at speed. Have you thought about feeding us? asked the wooden doll gently.

I don't see any fruit trees or vegetables or chickens, and settlers must eat, you know. We ought to have some seeds to plant and some building materials, oughtn't we, if we're going to make you into an up-to-Az country. Pshaw, said the runaway country, stopping with a jolt. I never thought of that. Can't you eat grass and fish? There's fine fish in my lakes. "'Well, I don't eat at all,' explained Peg pleasantly. "'But Pampa is a prince, and a prince has to have meat and vegetables and puddings on Sunday,

"'and I have to have lettuce and carrots and cabbages, or I won't work,' cried Wag thumping with his hind feet and winking at Cabompo. "'I'll not dig a single mountain.' "'And I've got to have my ton of hay a day, too,' trumpeted the elegant elephant. "'Or I'll not log a single log. Pretty poor sort of a country you are, expecting us to live on grass as if we were donkeys and goats. The runaway country rolled its lakes helplessly from one to the other. I thought settlers always managed to get a living off the land, it murmured in a troubled voice. Not us, rumbled Kabumpo.

Not enough pie and pioneer to suit this party. Has your highness anything to suggest? asked the country, looking anxiously at Peg. "'Well,' said the wooden doll slowly, "'suppose we stop at the first country we come to and stock up. We could get a few chickens and seeds and saws and hammers and things.' "'You'd run away,' said the runaway country, suspiciously. "'Not but what I trust you, Princess,' he added hastily,

"'but them.' He scowled darkly at Cabompo and wag. "'I'll not let them out of my sight.' How our little floating island loves us, chuckled Wag, nudging the elegant elephant. They won't run away, said Pegg softly, and if they did, you could easily catch them again. That's so. I'll stop wherever you say, sighed the country, starting on again. What are you going to do? whispered Pampa, catching Peg's arm. I don't know, said Pegg, honestly.

But perhaps if we make it stop, something will turn up. We're almost across the desert now, and that's a big help." "'You're wonderful!' cried Pampa, eyeing Peg gratefully. "'How can I ever thank you?' "'Better get your sword ready,' said Peg practically. "'For we may run into that giant any minute now.' Even Cabompo and Wag had stopped making jokes, and were straining their eyes toward ever.

"'Let's all stand together,' gasped Wagg breathlessly. Before Pegg or Pampa had time to plan or Cabompo to reply, the runaway country stepped off the desert and swept over the border and into the kingdom of Ev, making straight for a tall purple mountain. Do you see anything that looks like a giant or a palace? asked Peg, leaning forward. Oh, help! screamed Wagg just then, while Cabompo gave an ear splitting trumpet. Peg grasped Pampa and Pampa clutched peg, and no wonder, directly in front of them were the legs and feet of the most terrible and tremendous giant they had ever imagined. He was sitting on the mountain itself, and only a part of him was visible, for his head and shoulders were lost in the clouds. What's the matter? What's the matter? Rumble the runaway country, tilting forward slightly so he could see.

One look was enough. With a frightened jump that sent the four travelers hurtling through the air, it began running backwards, and in a moment was out of sight. Pegg was the first to recover her senses. Being wood, bumps didn't bother her. She rose stiffly and gazed around her. Pompas feet were waving feebly from a small clump of bushes. Cabompo stood swaying nearby, while Wag lay over on his side with closed eyes.

eyes. "'Oh, you poor dears!' murmured Peg. And, running over to the bushes, she pulled out the prince of Pumperdink and settled him with his back against a tree. He was much shaken by his high dive from the island, but pulled himself together and patted Peg's wooden hand kindly. By this time, Gabumpo had gotten his bearings and came wobbling over. "'You've got a black eye, I see.

wheezed the elegant elephant bitterly. "'Not so very black,' said Pegg cheerfully. "'Are you hurt, Kabumpo?' The elegant elephant felt himself all over with his trunk. "'Well, I'm not used to being flung about like a beanbag,' he said irritably. Then he lowered his voice hastily as he caught another glimpse of the dreadful giant feet. "'I'll go help wag,' he whispered, backing away quickly. It took some time to rouse the giant rabbit, but finally he opened his eyes.

I shot, I thought, a giant, he muttered thickly. Hush, warned Kibumpo. He's over there. He waved his trunk in the direction of the mountain and began dragging wag firmly away. Come on over here, he called in a loud whisper to Peg and Pampa. Leaning heavily on Peg Amy, the prince came. Then he gave a cry. of distress.

My sword, he gasped, staring around a bit wildly. I'll find it, said Pegoblagingly. You sit still and rest. Where's the magic box? coughed Kabumpo with an uneasy glance in the giant's direction. Now that they were actually in Ev, the elegant elephant began to doubt the wisdom of his plan for killing the monster. Gone, wailed Papa, feeling in his pocket.

I dropped it when I fell off the land. What shall we do, Cabompo? Don't be a gooch, gulped the elegant elephant, but he said it without spirit. It's probably around here somewhere. Moving quietly, Cabompo began to poke about with his trunk. Just then, Pegg Amy came flying toward them, her ragged dress fluttering in the breeze.

Look, whispered the wooden doll, dropping on her knees before them. In her hands was Gleg's box of mixed magic, and it was open. End of Chapter 17. Chapter 18 of Cabompo in Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Libri Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 18, Prince Pompadour proposes.

While Pegg and Pompah and the elegant elephant eyed, the box, Wag, twitching his nose and mumbling very fast under his breath, backed rapidly away. He was not going to run the risk of any more explosions. So anxious was the big rabbit to put a good distance between himself and Gleg's mixed magic, that he never realized that he was backing toward the giant till a sharp thump on the back of the head brought him up short. Trembling in every hair, Wag looked over his shoulder. "'Stars!

"'He had run into the terrible five-toed foot of the giant himself. "'At first wag was too terrified to move, "'but suddenly the hair on the back of his neck bristled erect. "'He peered at the giant's foot more attentively. "'His eyes snapped, and, seizing a stout stick that lay nearby, "'he brought it down with all his might on the giant's toes. "'It's Ruegetto! screamed wag, hopping up and down with rage.

And I'll pound his curly toes off. I don't care if he is a giant. I'll pound his curly toes off. The stick whistle through the air and whacked the giant's toes again. Now, of course, we have known all along that the giant was Ruggetto. But it was a great surprise for the rescuers. Ruggetto was bad enough to deal with as a gnome. But a giant Ruggetto?

Horrors! Stop him! Stop him! cried Pegg, Amy, throwing up her hands and scattering the contents of the box of magic in every direction. What are you trying to do? roared Cabompo, plunging forward. Get us all trampled on? A muffled cry came down from the clouds, and, as Cabompo dragged wag back by the ear, something flashed through the air and bounced upon the elegant elephant's head. It's the scarecrow, chattered wag, wriggling from beneath Cabompo's trunk. Cabompo opened his eyes and peered down at the limp bundle at his feet. As he looked, the bundle began to pull itself together.

It sat up awkwardly and began clutching itself into shape. Where you come from? Gasped the elegant elephant. Without speaking, the scarecrow waved his hand upward and rose unsteadily to his feet. Then, catching sight of Pegg, Amy, and Pompadour, the strawman bowed politely. Meanwhile, Wag, seeing that Kabompo's attention was diverted, began to sidle back toward Rugeto. "'Stop!' cried the scarecrow, running after him. "'Are you crazy? Don't you know Osma's palace is on his head?

Every time he moves, everyone in the palace tumbles about. Was it you who stirred him up and made him spill me out of the window?' I'll wake him up some more, the wicked old Scrabble Scratch," muttered Wag. But Cabompo jerked him back roughly. Great grump, choked the elegant elephant, shaking Wag in his exasperation. Here we've come all the way to save Princess Osma and now you want to upset everything. That's the way to do it, said the scarecrow, rolling his eyes wildly. Please stop it, Wag, begged Peg Eammy, throwing her wooden arms or

around the big rabbit's neck. And as Pompa added his voice to Peg's, Wag finally threw down his stick. "'Who is that beautiful girl?' asked the scarecrow of Kabumpo. The elegant elephant looked at the straw man sharply to see that he was not poking fun at the wooden doll. Finding he was quite serious, he said proudly, "'That's Peg, Amy, the best little body in Oz.

She's under my protection,' he added grandly. Just then Pompa and Peg came over, and Wag, who had often seen the scarecrow in the Emerald city, introduced them all. "'Did I understand you to say you had come to rescue Osma?' asked the scarecrow, who could not keep his eyes off the elegant elephant. "'Did I understand you to say Osma's palace was on Ruggetto's head?' shuddered Cabompo, glancing fearfully in the direction of the mountain. The scarecrow nodded vigorously and told in a few words of their terrible journey to Ev and their present perilous position.

How the palace had gotten on Ruggetto's head, he admitted, was a puzzle to him. Cabompo and Pompadour listened with amazement, especially to the part where they had threatened Ruggetto with eggs. And he's kept still for two days just on account of eggs? gasped the elegant elephant incredulously. Well, no, admitted the scarecrow, wrinkling up his forehead. A little man came flying through the air the first morning and bumped into the palace, and instantly everyone except scraps and me fell asleep. Ruggetto was put to sleep, too. We could hear him snoring.

Why, it must have been the sandman, breathed Pegg, Amy. I have heard he lived near here. Are they asleep now? asked Pompa, clutching the scarecrow's arm. How romantic thought the prince of Pumpernink to rescue and waken a sleeping princess! But the scarecrow shook his head. A few minutes before I fell out they began to wake up,

and I'd just go into the window to look for Glinda when Ruggetto gave a howl and ducked his head, and here I fell. The scarecrow spread his hands eloquently and smiled at Pegg. Has Glenda been here? asked Cabompo jealously. Yes, said the scarecrow. She came this morning, and she's been trying all sorts of magic

to reduce regattao without harm to the palace. Great grump, do you hear that? Cabompo rolled his eyes anxiously toward the prince. If Glenda's magic takes effect before ours, then where will we be? Peg, peg, where's the box of mixed magic?

Would you mind telling me, burst out the scarecrow, who had been examining one after another in the party with a puzzled expression, would you mind telling me how you happen to know about the palace disappearing? How you got across the sandy desert? How you expect to help us? How he, with a jerk at wag, came to be too large? How she, with the jerk of his thumb at peg, came to be alive, and, all in good time, all in good time, trumpeted Camumpetered Comumpo testily.

You sound like the curious cubibus. The principal thing to do now is to save Osma. Will Ruggeros stay quiet a little longer? If he's not disturbed, said the scarecrow with a meaning glance that wag. Well, my hocks and whoops soons, cried the rabbit indignantly. Isn't anyone going to punish him? He shook and shook peg and he meddled with magic and blew up into a giant. He's run off with the palace.

Doesn't he deserve a pounding?" "'Friend,' said the scarecrow, "'I admire your spirit, but my excellent brains tell me that this is a case where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. But have we the ounce of prevention?' "'Here's the question box,' announced Pegg,

who had run off at Cabompo's first call. "'What shall we ask it first?' "'How to save the lovely princess of Oz,' spoke up Pampa. running his hand over his scorch locks. Where's my crown, Kabumpo? Cabompo fished the crown from his pocket, and Pampa sat it gravely upon his head, as Peg asked the question box.

How shall we save the lovely princess of Oz? These maneuvers so astonished the scarecrow, that he lost his balance and fell flat on his nose. When he recovered, Pegg was clapping her wooden hands, and Cabompo was dancing on three legs. You're as good as married, my boy, cried Cabompo, thumping the prince upon his back. What is it? What's happened? gasped the scarecrow. Why, the question box says to pour three drops of trick tea on Ruggedo's left foot,

and two on his right, and he will then march back to the Emerald City, descend into his cave, and after the palace has settled firmly on its foundations, he will shrink down to his former size, Red Peg Eamie, holding the question box close to her eyes, for the printing was very small. Hurrah! cried the scarecrow, throwing up his hat. Peggy put the kettle on and we'll all have some tea.

But where'd you get all this magic stuff? He asked immediately after. Out of a box of mixed magic, puffed Kabumpo, his little eyes twinkling with anticipation as he watched Pegg. First she filled the tiny kettle at a nearby brook. Then she lit the little lamp and dropped some of the trick tea into the kettle. Bright pink clouds arose from the kettle as soon as Peg gets set it over the flame, and while they waited for it to boil, Pompa put another question.

Has Pumperdink disappeared? asked the prince in a trembling voice. N-O, spell the question box slowly, and Cabompo settled back with a great sigh of relief. I told you everything would be all right if you followed my advice, said the elegant elephant. Stand up now and try to forget your black eye. You are the Prince of Pumperdink, and I am the elegant elephant of Oz. But while the ceremony, asked the scarecrow looking mystified, Cabompo only chuckled to himself, and, as the trick tea was now ready, Peg took the little kettle and began to tiptoe toward Rugeto.

I hope it's red-hot, grumbled wag resentfully. He's getting off easy, the old Scrabble Scratch, getting off. Say, look here. He gestured violently at Cabompo. If Ruggetto returns to the Emerald City with the palace on his head, where does Pompah? come in." He pointed a trembling paw at the prince, his nose twitching so fast that made the scarecrow blink. Stop!

Trumpeted the elegant elephant, plunging after Peg Amy. He reached her just in time. I'm no better than Pumper, grunted Kabumpo, mopping his brow with the tail of his robe. Oh, suppose after all our hardships I had allowed Osma and the palace to get away without giving Pampa a chance to ask her. But we ought to say. savor as quick as we can, ventured Peg. Couldn't we hurry back to the Emerald City again?

It might be too late, weased Cabompo. Let me see. Hello, cried the scarecrow. Here comes Glinda. As he spoke, the swan chariot of the good sorceress floated down beside the little party. Bother, groaned Cabompo as Glinda stepped out. "'Some strangers,' called the scarecrow, gleefully running toward Glenda,

"'some strangers with a box of mixed magic trying to help.' "'If we could have a few words with Osma,' put in the elegant elephant hastily, "'everything would be all right.' Glinda looked at Cabompo gravely. "'It's unlawful to practice magic, you must know that,' said the sorceress sternly. "'But it's not our magic, Your Highness,' explained Pegg, Amy, setting down the little kettle. We found it, and we're only trying to help Osma." Well, in that case, Glinda could not help smiling at the wooden doll's quaint appearance.

I shall be glad to assist you, as all my magic has proved useless." "'Aren't you the Prince of Pumperdink?' she asked, nodding toward Pampa. The Prince bowed in his most princely fashion, and assured her that he was, and, after a few hasty explanations, Glenda promised to bring Oswald. down in her chariot. Tell her, trumpeted Kabumpo impressively as the chariot rose in the air. Tell her that a young prince waits below.

While Papa was still looking after Glenda's chariot, Pegg Amy came up to him and extended both her wooden hands. I wish you much happiness, Papa dear, said the wooden doll in a low voice. Papa pressed Peg's hands gratefully. If it hadn't been for you, I'd never have to be. have succeeded. You shall have everything you wish for now, Peg. Why? Where are you going?" Goodbye, called Peg Amy, trying to keep her voice as cheerful as her painted face. And before anyone could stop her, she began to run toward a little grove of trees.

"'Come back!' cried the prince, starting after her. "'Come back!' trumpeted Cabumpo in alarm. "'I'll get her,' coughed wag, hopping forward jealously. I've known her the longest. Pampa and Cabompo both started to run, too, but just at that minute, down swooped the chariot and out jumped Asma, the lovely little ruler of Oz. At last, gasped Cabompo, pushing Pompa forward.

If Osma was startled by their singular appearance, she was too polite to say so, and she returned Pompah's deep bow with a still deeper curtsy. Glinda tells me you have come a long, long way just to help me, said Osma anxiously. Is that so? Princess, cried Papa, falling on his knee. I know you are worried about your palace and your courtiers and your friends. Two drops of that triple trick tea, he waved at the small kettle, upon Ruggetto's right foot and three on his left, will set everything right.

But where did you get it? And why? Asma looked doubtfully at the scarecrow. Might as well try it, advised the scarecrow. We will explain everything later, puffed the elegant elephant. Trust old Cabompo your hindus, and everything will turn out happily. I believe I will, smiled Asma. Will you try the trick tea, Glinda?

Glinda took the kettle and poured it exactly as directed. First Ruggero gave a gusty sigh that blew the clouds about in every direction. Look out, warned Glinda. Next instant they all fluttered down like a pack of cards, for Ruggetto had taken a step, a giant step that shook the earth as if it had been a block of jelly. And when they had picked themselves up, Ruggetto was out of sight, tramping like a giant in a dream, back toward the Emerald City.

You wait here, cried Glendon. to Asma, and I'll follow him. She sprang into her chariot. How do you know he'll go back? asked the little ruler of Oz, staring with straining eyes for a glimpse of the giant. Because the question box said so, chuckled Kabumpo, triumphantly. Good magic, approved the scarecrow. But where is that charming peg?

I think I'll run find her. No sooner had the scarecrow disappeared than Pampa, swallowing very hard, again approached Asma. But Asma, still looking after Glinda's vanishing chariot, was hardly aware of the Prince of Pumperdink. Poor Papa dropped on his knee, which had a large hold in it by this time, and began mumbling in distinct sentences.

Then, as Cabompo frowned with disgust, the prince burst out desperately, Princess, will you marry me? "'Marry you?' gasped the little ruler of Oz. "'Good gracious, no!' "'In the chapter 18. "'Chapter 19 of Cabompo and Oz by Ruth Plumby Thompson. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain.

"'Chapter 19, Osma takes things in hand.' Prince Pompadour jumped up quickly. "'I told you she wouldn't,' he choked. looking reproachfully at Cabompo. I'm not half good enough. He doesn't always look so scratched up and shabby, weased Cabompo breathlessly. We've been scorched and pinched and kidnapped.

We've been through every kind of hardship to save your highness. And now—' The elegant elephant slouched against a tree. The picture of discouragement. He seemed to have forgotten the jewels that were to have won the princess for Papa, and his threat of running off with her should she refuse him. Why, you don't even know me, cried Asma, dismayed by even the thought of marrying.

For though the little ruler of Oz had lived almost a thousand years, she is no older than you are, and would no more think of marrying than Dorothy or Betsy Bobbin or Trot. Ruling the kingdom of Oz takes almost all Asma's time, and in any that is left, she wants to play and enjoy herself like any other sensible little girl. for Osma is only a little girl fairy after all. I'm not going to marry anybody, she declared stoutly. Then, because she really was touched by Pampa's woebegone appearance, she asked more kindly,

Why did you want to marry me especially? Because you are the properest princess in Oz, groaned the prince, leaning disconsolently against Gabonpo. Because if we don't, Pumperdink will disappear in my poor old. old father and my mother and everyone. Not to speak of us, gulped the elegant elephant. But where is Pumperdink? And who said it would disappear? asked Osma in amazement.

And how did you happen to have this trick tea and come to rescue me? The prince always rescues the princess he intends to marry, said Kabumpo wearily. I should think you'd know that. Well, I'm very grateful, and I'll do anything I can. except marry you, exclaimed Asma, who was beginning to feel very much interested in this strange pair. Thank you, said Cabompo stiffly, for he was deeply offended. Thank you, but we must be going. Come along, Pompa. Don't be a gooch.

This time it was Papa who spoke. I'm going to tell her everything. And Papa, being, as I have told you before, the most charming prince in the world, made Osma a comfortable throne of green boughs, and, throwing himself at her feet, poured out the whole story of their adventures, beginning with the birthday party and the mysterious scroll. He told of their meeting with Peg, Amy, and Wag, and ended up with a ride upon the runaway country.

Kabumpo stood by, swaying sulkily. He was very much disappointed in the Princess of Oz. He felt that she had no problem. proper appreciation of his or Pampa's importance. "'I'm going to find Peg,' he called finally. "'She's got more sense than any of you,' he weased under his breath as he swept grandly out of sight. Osma put both hands to her head as Pampa finished his recital, and really it was enough

to puzzle any fairy. Scrolls, live wooden dolls, a giant rabbit, a mysterious magician threatening disappearances and Ruggetto's wicked use of the box of mixed magic. Goodness, cried the little ruler of Oz. I wished a scarecrow would come back. He's so clever, I'm sure he could help us. But first you had better bring me the magic box. Papa rose slowly and picking up all the little flasks and boxes

that had spilled out when wagg pounded Ruggetto. He put them back into the casket and handed it to Osma. She examined the contents as curiously as the others had done. The expanding extract was the only thing missing, for Rugetto had poured the whole bottle over his head. The question box seemed to Osba the most wonderful of all legs magic. Why, all we have to do is to ask this box questions, she cried in excitement. Has my palace reached the Emerald City? she asked breathlessly.

shake it three times, said Papa, as Osma looked in vain for her answer. Yes, stated the box after the third shake, and Osma sighed with relief. I suppose you asked that if I were the proper princess mentioned in the scroll, she sat a bit shyly. The prince shook his head. No without asking, said Papa heavily. Do you mean to say you never asked it that? gasped Osma in disbelief. Why, I am surprised at you.

And before Papa could object, she shook the little box briskly. Who is the princess that Papa must marry? She demanded anxiously. The Princess of Suntop Mountain, flashed the question box promptly. Then, as an afterthought, it added, Trust the mirror and golden doorknob. Now you see, cried Osma, jumping up in delight, I wasn't the proper princess at all.

Pampa smiled faintly but without enthusiasm. The thought of hunting another princess was almost too much. I wish I could just take Peg Ammy and wag and go back to Pumperdick without marrying anybody. He choked bitterly. Now don't give up, advised Asma kindly. It was very wrong of Gleg to cause you all this trouble. I'm going to keep his box of mixed magic and take away all his powers when I find him, but until I do, you'll have to follow directions.

Oh, mercy, what's that? They both ducked and turned around in a hurry as a terrific thumping sounded behind them. "'It's the runaway country again,' cried Pampa, seizing Osma's hands in distress, and it's caught all the others. The scarecrow had climbed a tree and was waving to them wildly as the country galloped nearer. "'Might as well come aboard,' he called genially. "'This is a fast country. "'No arguing with it at all.'

Osma looked helplessly at Pumpa, and the prince had only time to grasp her more firmly when the country scooped them neatly into the air. Down they tumbled beside Pegg Amy and Wag and the elegant elephant. "'What do you mean by this?' demanded Osma as soon as she regained her breath. "'Don't you know that this lady's not yet? is the ruler of all Oz, cried Pumpa, warningly. Peg's the ruler of me, replied the country calmly.

I nearly lost her once, but now I've caught her and all the rest, and I'm not going to stop until I've reached the narnestic ocean, giants or no giants. Osma had been somewhat prepared for the runaway country by Pampa's description, but she had never dreamed it would dare to run off with her. While Peg Eamie began to coax it to stop, she took out Gleg's little question box. How shall I stop this country? she whispered anxiously. Spin around six times and cross your fingers, directed the question box. This asthma proceeded to do, much to the agitation of the scarecrow who thought she had taken

leave of her senses. But the next instant, the country came to a jolting halt. Peg, Princess Peg, shrieked the island. I am bewitched, I can't move a step. Then everybody off, shouted the scarecrow, jerking a branch of tree as if he were a conductor. Into the line, everybody off. And they lost no time tumbling off the wild little country. It seems too bad to leave it, said Pegg Amy, regretfully, picking herself up.

It threw us off without any feeling or consideration when it saw Rugo. sniffed Kibompo. Therefore, it has no claims on us whatsoever. But couldn't you do something for it? asked Peg, approaching Osma timidly. It was so tired of being a plateau. Couldn't you let it be an island and find someone to settle on it? I wouldn't mind going, she added generously. You shall do nothing of the sort, cried Kibumpo angrily.

You're going back to Pumpernink with Pompah and me. "'She's going with me,' cried Wag. "'Orenge you peg.' "'You seem to be a very popular person,' smiled Osma. "'While a country has no right to run away, and while I never heard of one doing it before, I've no objections to it being an island. It's running off with people I object to.'

She looked the country sternly in its leg eyes. "'But I can't move!' screamed the country, tears streaming down its hill. and I've got to have somebody to settle me. Oh, here's Glenda, shouted the scarecrow, tossing up his hat. Now we shall know what happened to Ruggetto. Leaving the country for a moment,

they all ran to welcome the good sorceress of Oz. Glenda's reports were most satisfactory. Ruggetto had walked straight back to the Emerald City, stepped into the yawning cavern, and immediately the palace had settled firmly upon its old foundations. Then had come a muffled explosion, and when Glinda and Dorothy had run through the secret passage, which had been discovered meanwhile by the soldier with the green whiskers, they saw Rugeot shrunken to his former size, sitting angrily on his sixth rock of history.

I have locked him up in the palace, finished Glenda, and I strongly advise Your Highness to punish him severely. Osma sighed. What would you do? she asked appealing to the scarecrow. So many things had come up for her attention and advice in the last few hours that the little fairy ruler felt positively dizzy. Let's all sit down in a circle and think, proposed a scarecrow cheerfully. This they all did, except Kabumpo, who stood off glumly by himself. Pegg was looking anxiously at Pompadour, for the elegant elephant had told her of Osma's refusal and wondering sadly what she could do to help when the scarecrow bounced up impulsively.

I have it, chuckled a straw man. Let's send Ruggetto off on the runaway country. He deserves to be banished, and if Osma makes the country an island, he can do no harm. Here, Osma had to stop and explain to Glinda about the country that wanted to be an island, and after a short consultation, they decided to take the scarecrow's advice. Just as soon as I reach the Emerald City, I'll put on my magic belt and wish him onto the island, declared Osma. And I think we'd better go right straight back, she added thoughtfully, for it's growing darker every minute, and Dorothy will be anxious to hear everything that's happened. Now you, Osma tapped Pompador gently on the arm.

you must start at once for Sun Top Mountain. I'm going to ask the question box just where it is. Pampa sighed deeply. And when Osma consulted the question box as to the location of Suntop Mountain, it stated that this kingdom was in the very center of the North Winky country. That's fine, said Osma, clapping her hands. I'll have the runaway country carry you over the deadly desert, and as soon as you have married the princess, you must bring her to

to see me in the Emerald City." "'What's all this?' demanded Camumpo, picking up his ears. "'The question-box says I must marry the princess of Suntop Mountain,' said Papa, getting up wearily. "'Well, great Gump, why couldn't it have said so before?' asked Cabompo shrilly. "'You never asked it,' snapped Wag, twitching his nose. "'I told you, Osma, wasn't the princess mentioned in the scroll?' Now don't quarrel, begged Peg Amy, jumping up hastily.

There's still plenty of time to save Pumperdink. Come along, Papa. That's right, said Asma, smiling approvingly at Peg. And when Papa finds his princess, you must come and live with me in the Emerald City, for as Rogetto was responsible for bringing you to life, I want to take care of you always. Peg Amy dropped a curtsey and promised to come, but she didn't feel very much. cheerful about it. Then as Asma was anxious to get back to the Emerald City, they all hurried to the runaway country. You are to take these travelers across the deadly desert, said Osma, addressing the

runaway country quite sternly, and you are to set them down in the Winky country. If you do this, I will restore your moving power again and give you a little gnome for king. Then you may run off to the domestic ocean as soon as ever you wish. I want pig, pouted the country, but if that's the best you can do, I suppose I'll have to stand it. After a little more grumbling, it agreed to Osma's terms. Wearily, Kabumpo, Wag, Peg, and Pampa climbed aboard, and then Osma spun around six times in the opposite direction, and immediately the country found itself able to move again. Goodbye, called Osma as she and the scarecrow jumped into great.

Glinda's chariot. Goodbye and good luck. Goodbye, Calpeg, waving her old torn bonnet. Good riddance, grumbled the country gruffly, and turning sideways began running toward the deadly desert.

End of chapter 19. Chapter 20 of Kabumpo and Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 20 the proper princess is found. Is the mirror safe, and have you still got the gold doorknob?

asked Pampa, as the country swung out onto the deadly desert. The question box said I was to trust them, you know. And by what right did Osma take that box? Weezed Cabompo irritably, as he felt in his pocket to see whether the magic articles were still there. That's gratitude for you. We find Glag's box of mixed magic and rescue her. her, and off she goes with our magic, leaving us to the tender mercies of a runaway country. You find the box, shrilt wag.

Well, I like that. Oh, what difference does it make? Grown Pampa, stretching out upon the ground. They were all completely exhausted by the day's adventures and as cross as three sticks, all except Peg Amy, who never was cross. I shall marry this princess and save. my country, but I'm going away as soon as the wedding is over and spend the rest of my life in travel, announced Pampa, gloomily.

Don't blame you, rumbled the elegant elephant with a sniff. Ah, now, laughed Pagg, that doesn't sound like you, Pampa. Why, maybe this princess will be so lovely you'll want to carry her straight back to Pumperdink. I think princesses are a great boar, said Wag with a terrific yarn. I prefer plain folks like Peg and the scarecrow. You're all hungry, that's what's the matter, chuckled the wooden doll. When you've had some supper, you'll be just as anxious to find the princess of Sun Top Mountain as you were to find Asma. Here's the winky country now, and there's a star for good luck.

Peg waved toward the green fields with one hand and toward the clouds with the other. It was dusk now, and just one star twinkled cheerily in the sky. "'I'll set you down, but I'm not going away,' said the runaway country determinedly. "'And if that little old gnome doesn't turn up, I'm going to catch you all again.' "'Ozma never forgets. She'll keep her promise,' said Peg. "'And you must do just as she told you to do, for she has some powerful magic, and can send you right back to where you came from.' "'Can she?' gulp the country anxiously.

"'You might wait a while, though,' suggested Papa darkly. "'After I've seen this new princess, a runaway country might be a very good thing.' "'Well, you can't expect her to marry you if you talk that way,' said Peg, warningly, as the country came to a stop in a huge field of daisies. "'I'll wait,' it said hopefully, as the four travelers swung themselves down. "'I wonder if we are in the north central port,' murmured. heard Peg Amy, looking around anxiously. Now it happened, the country had crossed the deadly desert, slant-wise, and although none of the

party knew it, they were scarcely a mile from Sun-top mountain. "'I see a garden!' cried Wag, twitching his nose hungrily. "'Come on, Prince, let's find some supper.' With head down and dragging his feet, Pompa followed Wag. Gubumpo began jerking snappishly at some treetops, and Peggy. Amy sat down to think. I wish, thought the wooden doll, looking up at the bright star, I wish I might have asked the box one little question.

Peggymy looked so solemn that Cabombo stopped eating and regarded her anxiously. What's the matter? asked the elegant elephant, gruffly, for he quite counted on Peg's cheerfulness. I was thinking about it again, admitted Pegg apologetically, about being alive, but before. I'm sure I was alive before I was a doll, Cabumpo. I think I was a person like Pompa, she continued softly. You're much better as you are, said the elegant elephant uneasily, for it had just occurred to him that the magic mirror would tell Peg who she was as well as the question box. But should he let her look in it? That was the question. Poor tired old

Comumpo shifted from one foot to the other as he tried to make up his mind. Two huge drops of perspiration ran down his trunk. What good would it do, he reasoned finally. Suppose it told something awful. It couldn't change her, and it might make her unhappy. No, he would not let Peg look in the mirror. How would you like to have this pearl bracelet? He asked in an embarrassed voice.

"'Why, Cabompo, I just adore it,' cried Peg, springing up in a hurry. "'And I'm not going to worry about being alive any more. "'For everyone is so lovely to me. "'I ought to be the happiest person in Oz.' "'You are, puffed Cabompo, clumsily slipping the bracelet on peg's wooden arm, "'and if we ever get back to Pumpernink, you shall have as many silk dresses as you want, "'and the rest of the sentence was smothered in a hug.' Peg Emy was growing fonder and fonder of pompousol, Cabompo, and by the time he had recovered his breath,

Wag and the Prince came ambling back together. They had found an orchard and a kitchen garden, and as they were no longer hungry, both were more cheerful. "'Let's play Scop Hodge,' suggested the wag amiably. "'I'm tired of hunting princesses.' There was a smooth patch of sand under the trees, and Wag hopped over and began mark out the squares with his paw. "'Scopotch!' laughed Pampa, while Pegg gave a skip of delight. "'Play if you want to,' weezed Cabumpo, shaking himself wearily.

"'I feel about as playful as a stone line. Besides, hopscotch isn't an elephant game.' Peg, wag, and Papa began to hop-scotch for dear life. Pegg often tumbled over, for it is hard to keep your balance on wooden legs. but it was Peg who won in the end, and Wag crowned her with daisies. I wish we could go on just as we are, gasped Pampa, mopping his face with his silk handkerchief. We're all good chums, and if it weren't for Pumperdinx disappearing, we might travel all over Oz and have no end of adventures together. Speaking of disappearing, said Kabumpo, opening one eye, for he had dozed off during the game. I suppose we'd better be starting if we're to save the kingdom at all.

Goodbye to pleasure, sighed Pampa, as Kabumpo lifted him to his back. Goodbye to everything. Oh, cheer up, begged Peg, setting herself on wags back. Harrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! A large yellow bird rose suddenly from a nearby bush and flapped its wings over Papa's head. "'Hara! Hurrah! Hurrah!' "'Shoe! Get away!' grumbled Cabumpo, crossly. "'What are you cheering about?'

"'She said to,' called the bird, darting overpeg Amy's head. "'Hara! Hurrah! Hurrah! "'Let me teach you how to be cheerful in three chirps. "'First think of what you might have been. "'Next think of what you are. "'Then think of what you are going to be. "'Do you get it?' "'The bird put his head on one side.

and regarded them anxiously. He might have been King of Oz, instead of which he is only a lost prince, and he's going to be married to a mountaintop princess. Do you see anything cheerful about that? demanded Cabompo angrily. Clear out. We'll do our own cheering.

Shall I go? asked the hurrah bird, looking very crestfallen and pointing its claw at Pegg Amy. Maybe you can tell us the way to Suntop Mountain, said Peg politely. You can see it from the other side of the hill, replied the hurrah bird. I'll give you a few hurrahs for luck. Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!

Oh, go away, grumbled Kabumpo. Not till you look at my nest. Did you ever see a hurrah bird's nest? He chirped brightly. Let's look at it, said Pampa, smiling in spite of himself. The hurrah bird preened itself proudly as they peered through the bushes. Surely it had the gayest. nest ever built, for it was woven of straw of many colors, and hung all over the nearby

branches, were small Oz flags. In the nest three little yellow chicks were growing up into hurrahs, and they chirped faintly at the visitors. Remember, called the father Hurrah as they bade him goodbye. You can always be cheerful in three chirps if you think of what you might have been, which you are and what you are going to be. Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! There's something in what you said, chuckled Wag. Goodbye.

The moon had come up rightly, and even Kabumpo began to feel more like himself. There's a lot to be learned by traveling, eh, wag. He winked at the rabbit who was just behind him. Let's see. Somersaults for sums. Never be gormish, and now how to be cheerful in three chirps. Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. The elegant elephant began to plow swiftly through the daisy field

So that at almost no time they reached the top of the little hill And as they did so, Peg gave a little scream of delight As for the others, they were simply speechless. A purple mountain rose steeply ahead And set like a crown upon its summit Was a glittering gold castle The loveliest laciest gold castle you could imagine with a hundred fluttering pennants.

All down the mountainside spread its lovely gardens, its golden arbores, and flower-boarded paths. I've seen it before, cried the wooden doll softly, but no one heard her. Pampa drew a deep breath, for the castle, shimmering in the moonlight, seemed almost too beautiful to believe. O-wee, whistle-wag, breaking the silence.

The princess of Tunsop Wountain must be wonderful. Shall we start up now? Gasped Cabompo, swinging his trunk nervously. I don't believe she'll ever marry me. Let's don't go at all, muttered the Prince of Pomperdink in a shaking voice. Oh, come on, called Wag. Who was curious to see the owner of so grand a castle? But we mustn't go Wag, gasped Peggy.

How would it look to have it. a shabby old doll tagging along when he's trying to talk to the princess. If Peg doesn't go, I'm not going, declared Pampa stubbornly. You're just as good as any princess, said Cabompo, and I'm not going without you either. As the elegant elephant refused to budge, and there seemed no other way out of it, Pegg Amy finally consented, and the four adventurers started fearfully up the winding path, almost expecting the cast to disappear before they reached the top. So unreal did it seem in the moonlight.

There was no one in the garden, but there were lights in the castle windows. Just as if they expected us, said the elegant elephant, as they reached the tall gates. Pampa opened the gates the next instant they were standing before the great castle door.

Shall we knock? Chattered wagg his eyes sticking out with excitement. No, wait a minute, beg the prince, who was becoming more agitated every minute. "'Here's the mirror and the doorknob, quavered Cabompo. "'Didn't the question box say to trust them? "'Why look here, Papa, my boy, it fits.'

"'Clumsily, Cabo held up the glittering doorknob, "'he had brought all the way from Pumpernake, "'then he slipped it easily on the small gold bar projecting from the door. "'But instead of looking joyful, Papa groaned dismally. He started to protest, but Kabumpa had already turned the knob, and they found themselves in a glittering gold courtroom. Now for the princess, puffed Kabumpo, looking around with his twinkling little eyes.

Here, take the mirror, Pompa. The room was empty, although brilliantly lighted, and the prince stood uncertainly in the very center. Suddenly, with a determined little cry, "'Pompa rushed over to Peg Amy, who stood leaning against a tall gold chair. "'Peg!' choked Papa, dropping on his knees beside the wooden doll. "'I'll have to find some other way to save Pumperdink. "'I'm not going to marry this princess and have you taken away from me.

"'You're a proper enough princess for me, and we'll just go back to Pumpernake and be—' "'The mirror, look in the mirror!' screamed Wagg, who was sitting beside Pegg Amy. Unconsciously, Papa had held out the gold mirror and Peg, leaning over to listen, had looked directly into it. Above Peg's pleasant reflection in the mirror, they read these startling and important words. This is Peg Amy, Princess of Suntop Mountain. While Papa stared with round eyes, the words faded out, and this new legend formed in the glass. This is the proper princess. I always knew you were a princess, cried Wag, turning a somersault.

The big rabbit had just come right side up when a still more amazing thing happened. The wooden body of Peg melted before their eyes, and in its place stood the loveliest little princess in the world. And yet with all her beauty, she was strangely like the old pig. Her eyes had the same. very twinkle and her mouth the same pleasant curve. Oh, cried Princess Pegg, holding her arms out to her friends. Now I am the happiest person in Oz.

End of Chapter 20. Chapter 21 of Cabompo in Oz by Ruth Plummy Thompson. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 21 How It All Came About. before pompa had time to rise a tall richly clad old noble man rushed into the room peg cried the old gentleman clasping the princess in his arms you are back at last the enchantment is broken for a moment the two forgot all about pompa and the others then gently disengaging herself peg seized the prince's hand and drew him to his feet Uncle, she said breathlessly, holding to Papa with one hand and waving with the other at Cabompo and wag. Here are the friends responsible for my release.

This is my Uncle Tosci Fogg, she explained quickly, and impulsively Uncle Tossifog sprang to his feet and embraced each in turn, even Cabompo. Sit down, begged the old gentleman, sinking into a golden chair and mopping his head with a flowered silk kerchief. Papa, who could not take his eyes from this new and wonderful Peggy, dropped into another chair. Kabumpo leaned limply against a pillar, and Wag sat where he was, his nose twitching faster than ever, and its ears stuck out straight behind him. You are probably wondering about the change in Peg, began Uncle Tossy Fogg, as the princess perched on the arm of his chair, so I'll try to tell my part of the story.

three years ago an ugly old peddler climbed the path to sun-top mountain he said his name was glegg and forcing his way into the castle he demanded the hand of my niece in marriage peg shuddered and uncle tasse fogg blew his nose violently at the distressing memory then speaking rapidly and pausing every few minutes to appeal to the princess he continued the story of peg's enchantment naturally the old peddler had been refused and thrown out of the castle. That night, as Uncle Tazi-Fogg prepared to carve the royal roast, there came an explosion, and when the courtiers had picked themselves up, Peg Emy was nowhere to be seen, and only a threatening scroll remained to explain the mystery. Gleg, who was really a powerful magician, infuriated by Uncle Tossey-Fogg's treatment, had changed the little princess into a tree. Know ye, began the scroll,

quite like the one that had spoiled Papa's birthday, know ye that unless ye princess of sun-top mountain consents to wed J. Gleg, she shall remain a tree forever, or until two shall call and believe her to be a princess. J. G. The whole castle had been plundered, Munged into utmost gloom by this terrible happening,

for Pegg was the kindest, best-love little princess any kingdom could wish for. Lord Tossy Fogg and nearly all the courtiers set out at once to search for the little tree, and for two years they wondered over Oz, addressing every hopeful tree as princess, but never happening on the right one. Finally they returned in despair, and Suntop Mountain, once the most cheerful kingdom in all Oz, had become the gloomiest. There was no singing, no dancing, no happiness of any kind, even the flowers had drooped in the absence of their little mistress. Why didn't you appeal to Osma? demanded Papa at this point of the story.

Because in another scroll, Gleg warned us that the day we told Osma, Peg, Amy, would cease to even be a tree, explained Uncle Tosseyfog hoarsely. Then how did she become a doll? Tell me that Uncle Tossie Fogg, gulped Wag, raising one paw. She'll have to tell you that herself, confessed Peg's uncle, for that's all the story I know. So here Pegg took up the story herself. The morning after her transformation into a tree, Gleg had a pegg had a piece. and asked her again to marry him. I was a little yellow tree in the winky country,

not far from the Emerald City, explained Pegg. And every day for two months, Gleg appeared and gave me the power of speech long enough to answer his question. And each time he asked me to marry him, but I always said no. The princess shook her yellow curls briskly. One afternoon there came a one-legged seattle. sailor man and a little girl.

Even Cabompo shuddered as Pegg Amy told how Cap'n Bill had cut down the little tree, pared off all the branches, and carved from the trunk a small wooden doll for trot. It didn't hurt, Princess Pegg hastened to explain as she caught pompous sorrowful expression, and being a doll was a lot better than being a tree. I could not move or speak, but I knew what was going on, and life in Osma's palace was cheerful and interesting. Only, of course, I longed to tell Osma or trot of my enchantment. I missed dear Uncle Tosseyfog and all the people of Suntop Mountain.

Then, as you all know, I was stolen by the old gnome, and after Rogetto carried me underground, I forgot all about being a princess and remembered nothing of this. Peg glanced lovingly around the room. I only felt that I had been alive before. So you, Peg jumped up and flung one arm around Wag, and you, she flung the other around Papa, saved me by calling me a princess

and really believing I was one. And you, Peg hastened over to Capumpo, who was rolling his eye sadly. You are the darlingest old elephant in us. See, I still have the necklace and bracelet. And sure enough, on Peg's round arm and white neck gleamed the jewels the elegant elephant had generously given when he thought her only a funny wooden doll. Oh, groaned Kaboompo, why didn't I let you look in the mirror before? No wonder you kept remembering things.

But why did Gleg send the threatening scroll to Pumperdink three years after? he'd enchanted Peg, asked Wags, scratching his head. Because, shrilled a piercing voice, and in through the window bounded a perfectly dreadful old man. It was Gleg himself. Because, sweet's the wicked magician, advancing toward the little party with crooked finger, when that meddling old sailor touched Peg with his knife, I lost all power. over her, because my question box told me that Pompadour of Pumperdinck could bring about her disenchantment, and he has.

I made it interesting for you, didn't I? There isn't another magician in Oz can put scrolls up in cakes and roasts like I can, nor mix magic like mine. Ha ha! Gleg threw back his head and rocked with enjoyment. You have had all the tracts. and I shall have all the reward." Everyone was so stunned by this terrible interruption that no one made a move as Gleg sprang toward

Peg Emy. But before he had reached the princess there was a queer, sulfurous explosion and the magician disappeared in a cloud of green smoke. They rubbed their eyes, and as the smoke cleared they saw trot. little girl who had played with Peg Amy when she was a wooden doll. Osma explained Trot breathlessly for she had come on a fast wish. After following the adventures of Pampa and Peg in the magic mirror, and as the magician had tried to snatch the princess, Osma had transported him by means of her magic belt to

the Emerald City and sent Trot to bring her best wishes to the whole party. I'm sorry I didn't make you a pretty pretty good. to your dress when you were my doll," said Trot, seizing Pegg Amie's hand impulsively. But you see I didn't know you were a princess. But you guessed my name, said Peg softly. There was so many explanations to be made and so many things to wander over and exclaim about, that it seemed as if they could never stop talking. Uncle Tossey fog rang all the bells in the castle tower,

and stepping out on a balcony told the people of someone. Sun Top Mountain of the return of Princess Peg Amy. Then the servants were summoned, and such a feast as only an Oz cook can prepare was started in the castle kitchen. The courtiers came hurrying back, for during Peg's absence, Uncle Tosy Fogg had lived alone in the castle. Yes, the courtiers came back, and the people of Suntop Mountain poured into the castle in throngs and nearly overwhelmed the rescuers by the enthusiasm.

of their thanks. Capoompo had never been so admired and complimented in his whole elegant life. As for Wag, his speech grew more mixed up every minute. At last, when the courtiers and Uncle Tazi Fogg had run off to dress for the grand banquet, and after Trot had been magically recalled by Asma to the Emerald City, the four who had gone through so many adventures together were left alone. Well, how about Pumpur-Dink, my boy? Chuckled Kabumpur with a wave of his trunk.

Are we going to let the old kingdom disappear or not? It is my duty to save my country, said Pampa loftily. Then, with a mischievous smile at Peg Amy, Don't you think so, Princess? Pegg Amy looked merrily at the elegant elephant, and then took Pompa's hand. "'Yes, I do,' said the princess of Sun Topper Mountain. "'Then you will marry me?' asked Pumper,

looking every inch a prince in spite of his singed head and torn clothes. "'We must save Pumperdink, you know,' sighed peg softly. "'Three cheers for the Princess of Pumperdink. May she be as happy as the day is short,' cried Wagg in his impulsive way. Uncle Toscifog was as pleased as Wag when he heard the news, and Pampa, attired in a royal gold-embroidered robe, was married to peg Amy upon the spot with much pomp and magnificence. Never before was there such rejoicing, a merrier company or a happier bride. Cabompo, arrayed in two gold curtains, borrowed for the happy occasion, had never appeared

more elegant, and Wag was everywhere at once and simply overwhelmed with attention. That same night, a messenger was dispatched to Pumperdink to carry the good news, and the next morning, Pampa and Peg set out for the Emerald City, the princess riding proudly on Wag and Pompadour on Cabo. Knowing the whole four as you do now, you will believe me when I say that their journey was the merriest and most delightful ever recorded in the merry kingdom of Oz. After a short visit with Osma and another to the king and queen of Pumperdink, they all return to Sun Top Mountain, where they are living happily at this very minute.

End of Chapter 21.