Classic Audiobook Collection - The Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum ~ Full Audiobook [fantasy]

Episode Date: February 9, 2023

The Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum audiobook. Genre: fantasy In this whimsical installment of the Oz series, L. Frank Baum sends listeners back to a land where enchantment and mischief hide around every bend. When Trot, a spirited girl with a fearless streak, and her clever sailor friend Cap'n Bill find themselves swept into a strange adventure, they arrive in Oz at a troubling moment. A mysterious menace threatens travelers and puts an entire kingdom on edge, and the usual rules of the road do not apply when magic is involved. Along the way, Trot and Cap'n Bill meet unforgettable companions, including a kind-hearted but unusual Scarecrow who is determined to help set things right. Their journey leads them through curious countries, odd creatures, and dazzling landscapes, where courage and kindness matter as much as cleverness. As the danger grows and the stakes become clearer, the friends must rely on loyalty, quick thinking, and the hope that Oz still has room for justice and wonder. Full of playful humor, inventive magic, and warmhearted friendship, this tale explores what it means to stand up for others even when the path forward is unpredictable. For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 01 (00:11:14) Chapter 02 (00:24:47) Chapter 03 (00:49:15) Chapter 04 (01:00:13) Chapter 05 (01:26:18) Chapter 06 (01:34:59) Chapter 07 (01:47:26) Chapter 08 (02:08:08) Chapter 09 (02:22:52) Chapter 10 (02:31:42) Chapter 11 (02:46:22) Chapter 12 (03:04:20) Chapter 13 (03:15:11) Chapter 14 (03:34:36) Chapter 15 (03:45:03) Chapter 16 (03:54:02) Chapter 17 (04:02:02) Chapter 18 (04:12:51) Chapter 19 (04:24:50) Chapter 20 (04:41:41) Chapter 21 (04:51:24) Chapter 22 (05:01:21) Chapter 23 (05:07:07) Chapter 24 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum, Chapter 1. The Great Whirlpool. "'Seems to me,' said Captain Bill, as he sat beside Trot under the big Acacia Tree, looking out over the blue ocean. "'Seems to me, Trot. As how the more we know, the more we find we don't know.' "'I can't quite make that out, Captain Bill,' answered the little girl, a serious voice after a moment's thought, during which your eyes followed those of the old sailor-man across the glassy surface of the sea. Seems to me that all we learn is just so much gained.

I know. It looks that way at first sight," said the sailor, nodding his head. But those as knows the least have a habit of thinking they know all there is to know, while them as knows the most. admits what a terrible big world this is. It's the knowing ones that realize one lifetime ain't long enough to get more and a few dips of the oars of knowledge." Trot didn't answer. She was a very little girl with big, solemn eyes and an earnest, simple manner. Captain Bill had been her faithful companion for years, and had taught her almost everything she knew. He was a wonderful man, this captain

Captain Bill? Not so very old, although his hair was grizzled what there was of it. Most of his head was bald as an egg and shiny as oilcloth, and this made his big ears stick out in a funny way. His eyes had a gentle look and were pale blue in color, and his round face was rugged and bronzed. Captain Bill's left leg was missing from the knee down. And that was why the sailor no longer sailed the seas.

The wooden leg he wore was good enough to stump around with on land, or even to take trot out for a row or a sail on the ocean, but when it came to running up aloft or performing active duties on shipboard, the old sailor was not equal to the task. The loss of his leg had ruined his career, and the old sailor found comfort in devoting himself to the education and companionship of the little girl. The accident to Captain Bill's leg had happened at about the time Trot was born, and ever since that he had lived with Trot's mother as a starboarder, having enough money saved up to pay for his weekly keep.

He loved the baby and often held her on his lap. Her first ride was on Captain Bill's shoulders, for she had no baby carriage, and when she began to toddle around the child and the sailor became close comrades and enjoyed many strange adventures together it is said the fairies had been present at trot's birth and had marked her forehead with the invisible mystic signs so that she was able to see and do so many wonderful things the acacia tree was on top of a high bluff but a path ran down the bank in a zay zigzag way to the water's edge, where Captain Bill's boat was moored to a rock by means of a stout cable. It had been a hot, sultry afternoon, with scarcely a breath of air stirring. So Captain Bill and Trot had been quietly sitting beneath the shade of the tree, waiting

for the sun to get low enough for them to take a row. They had decided to visit one of the great caves which the waves had washed out of the rocky coast during many years of steady effort. The caves were a source of continual delight to both the girl and the sailor who loved to explore their awesome depths. "'I believe, Captain,' remarked Trot at last, "'that it's time for us to start.' "'The old man cast a shrewd glance at the sky, the sea, and the motionless boat. Then he shook his head.

"'Maybe it's time, Trot. He answered, "'But I don't just like the looks of things this afternoon.' "'What's wrong?' she asked wonderingly. "'Can't say as to that. Things is too quiet to suit me, that's all. No breeze, not a ripple atop the water. Nary a gull o'-flying anywhere. And the end of the hottest day of the year. I ain't no weather-propet trot, but any sailor would know the signs is ominous.' there's nothing wrong that i can see said trot if there was a cloud in the sky even as big as my thumb we might worry about it but look cap'n the sky is as clear as can be he looked again and nodded perhaps we can make the cave all right he agreed not wishing to disappoint her it's only a little way out and we'll be on the watch so come along trot

together they descended the winding path to the beach it was no trouble for the girl to keep her footing on the steep way but cap'n bill because of his wooden leg had to hold on to rocks and roots now and then to save himself from tumbling on a level path he was as spry as any one but to climb up a hill or down required some care they reached the boat safely and while trot was untying the rope cap'n bill reached into a crevice of the rock and drew out several tallow candles in a box of wax matches which he thrust into the capacious pockets of his southwester the southwester was a short coat of oilskin which the old sailor wore on all occasions when he wore a coat at all and the pockets always contained a variety of objects useful and ornamental which made even trot wonder where they all came from and why cap'n bill should treasure them the jack-knives a big and a little one the bits of cord the fish-hooks the nails these were handy to have on certain occasions but bits of shell and tin boxes with unknown contents buttons pincers bottles of curious stones and the like seemed quite unnecessary to carry around that was captain bill's business however and now that he added the candles and the matches to his collection trot made no comment for she knew that these were to light their way through the caves. The sailor always rode the boat, for he handled the oars with strength and skill.

Trot sat in the stern and steered. The place where they embarked was a little bite or circular bay, and the boat cut across a much larger bay toward a distant headland where the caves were located right at the water's edge. They were nearly a mile from shore and about halfway across the bay, when Trot saw suddenly sat up straight and exclaimed. "'What's that, Captain?' He stopped rowing and turned half around to look.

"'That Trot,' he slowly replied. "'Looks to me mightily like a whirlpool.' "'What makes it, Captain?' "'A whirl in the air makes the whirl in the water. I was afraid as we'd meet with trouble Trot. Things didn't look right. The air was too still.' "'It's coming closer,' said the girl.

The old man grabbed the oars and began rowing with all his strength. "'Tain't coming closer to us, Trot,' he gasped. "'It's we that are coming closer to the world, pooh. The thing is drawing us to it like a magnet.' Trot's sun-bronzed face was a little paler as she grasped the tiller firmly and tried to steer the boat away, but she said not a word to indicate fear. The swirl of the water as they came nearer made a roaring sound that was fearful to listen to.

So fierce and powerful was the whirlpool that it drew the surface of the sea into the form of a great basin, slanting downward toward the center where a big hole had been made in the ocean, a hole with walls of water that were kept in place by the rapid whirling of the air. The boat in which Trot and Cap'n Bill were riding was just on the outer edge of this saucer-like slant, and the old sailor knew very well that unless he could quickly force the little craft away from the rushing current, they would soon be drawn into the great black hole that yawned in the middle. So he exerted all his might and pulled as he had never pulled before.

He pulled so hard that the left oar snapped into, and sent Captain Bill sprawling upon the bottom of the boat. He scrambled up quickly enough and glanced over the side. Then he looked at Trot, who sat quite still, with a serious, far-away look in her sweet eyes. The boat was now speeding swiftly of its own accord, following the line of the circular basin round and round and gradually drawing nearer to the great hole in the center. Any further effort to escape the whirlpool was useless, and realizing this fact, Captain Bill turned toward Trot and put an arm around her as if to shield her from the awful fate

before them. He did not try to speak, because the roar of the waters would have drowned the sound of his voice. These two faithful comrades had faced dangers before, but nothing to equal that which now face them. Yet, Cap'n Bill, noting the look in Trot's eyes and remembering how often she had been protected by unseen powers, did not quite give way to despair. The great hole in the dark water, now growing nearer and nearer, looked very terrifying, but they were both brave enough to face it and

await the result of the adventure. End of Chapter 1. Chapter 2 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 2 The Cavern Under the Sea The circles were so much smaller at the bottom of the basin, and the boat moved so much more swiftly, that Trot was beginning to get dizzy with the motion when Suddenly the boat made a leap and dived headlong into the murky depths of the hole.

Whirling like tops, but still clinging together, the sailor and the girl were separated from their boat and plunged down, down, down, into the farthermost recesses of the great ocean. At first their fall was swift as an arrow, but presently they seemed to be going more moderately, Trot was almost sure that unseen arms were about her, supporting her and protecting her. She could see nothing, because the water filled her eyes and blurred her vision, but she clung fast to Cap'n Bill's southwestern, while other arms clung fast to her, and so they gradually sank down and down, until a full stop was made when they began to ascend again. But it seemed to trot that they were not rising straight to the surface from where they had come.

The water was no longer whirling them, and they seemed to be drawn in a slanting direction through still cool ocean depths. And then, in a much quicker time than I have told it, up they popped to the surface, and were cast at full length upon a sandy beach, where they lay choking and gasping for breath, and wondering what had happened to them trot was the first to recover disengaging herself from cap'n bill's wet embrace and sitting up she rubbed the water from her eyes and then looked around her a soft bluish-green glow lighted the place which seemed to be a sort of cavern for above and on either side of her were rugged rocks they had been cast upon a beach of clear sand which slain to be a sort of cavern which slammed to be of a side of her were rugged rocks they had been cast upon a beach of clear sand which slain mounted upward from the pool of water at their feet, a pool which doubtless led into the big ocean that fed it.

Above the reach of the waves of the pool were more rocks, and still more, and more, into the dim windings and recesses of which the glowing light from the water did not penetrate. The place looked grim and lonely, but Trot was thankful that she was still alive and had suffered no severe injury during her trying to her. adventure under water. At her side, Captain Bill was sputtering and coughing, trying to get rid of the water he had swallowed. Both of them were soaked through, yet the cavern was warm and comfortable, and a wedding did not dismay the little girl in the least. She crawled up the slant of sand, and gathered in her hand a bunch of dried seaweed, with which she mopped the face of Captain Bill

and cleared the water from his eyes and ears. Presently the old man sat up and stared at her intently. Then he nodded his bald head three times, and said in a gurgling voice, "'Mighty good, Trot, mighty good. We didn't reach Davy Jones' locker that time, did we? Though why we didn't, and why we're here, as more than I can make out?'

"'Take it easy, Captain,' she replied. safe enough, I guess, at least for the time being. He squeezed the water out of the bottoms of his loose trousers, and felt of his wooden leg and arms and head, and finding he had brought all of his person with him, he gathered courage to examine closely their surroundings. "'Where do you think we are, Trot?' he presently asked. "'Can't say, Cap'n't, perhaps in one of our caves?' He shook his head.

"'No,' said he. "'I don't think that at all. The distance we came up didn't seem half as far as the distance we went down. And you'll notice there ain't any outside entrance to this cabin whatever. It's a regular dome over this pool of water. And unless there's some passage at the back up yonder, we're fast prisoners.' Trot looked thoughtfully over her shoulder. When we're arrested, she said, we will crawl up there and see if there's a way to get out.

Captain Bill reached in the pocket of his oil-skin coat and took out his pipe. It was still dry, for he kept it in an oil-skin pouch with his tobacco. His matches were in a tight tin box, so in a few moments the old sailor was smoking contentedly. Trot knew it helped him to think when he was in any day. difficulty. Also, the pipe did much to restore the old sailor's composure, after his long ducking and his terrible fright, a fright that was more on Trot's account than on his own. The sand was dry where they sat, and soaked up the water that dripped from their clothing. When Trot had squeezed the wet out of her hair she began to feel much like her old self again.

And by and by they got upon their feet, and crept up the incline to the scattered boulders above. Some of these were of huge size, but by passing between some and around others they were able to reach the extreme rear of the cavern. "'Yes,' said Trot with interest. "'Here's a round hole.' "'And it's black as night inside it,' remarked Captain Bill. "'Just the same,' answered the girl.

We ought to explore it and see where it goes, because it's the only possible way we can get out of this place." Captain Bill lied the whole doubtfully. "'It may be a way out of here, Trot,' he said. "'But it may be a way into a far worse place than this. I'm not sure, but our best plan is to stay right here.' Trot wasn't sure either, when she thought of it in that light. After a while she made her way back to the sands again. and Captain Bill followed her.

As they sat down, the child looked thoughtfully at the sailor's bulging pockets. How much food have we got, Captain? she asked. Half a dozen chips, biscuit, and a hunk of cheese, he replied. Want some now, Trot? She shook her head, saying, that ought to keep us alive about three days if we're careful of it. Longer in that, Trot, said Captain Bill, but his voice was a little troubled and unsteady. "'But if we stay here we're bound to starve in time,' continued the girl.

While if we go into the dark hole, "'some things are more hard to face than starvation,' said the sailor man gravely. "'We don't know what's inside that dark hole trot, nor where it might lead us to.' "'There's a way to find that out,' she persisted. Instead of replying, Captain Bill began searching in his pocket. He soon drew out a little package of fish hooks and a long line. Trot watched him join them together. Then he crept a little way up the slope and turned over a big rock.

Two or three small crabs began scurrying away over the sands, and the old sailor caught them and put one on his hook and the other in his pocket. Coming back to the pool, he swung the hook over his shoulder, and circled it around his head and cast it neatly. into the center of the water, where he allowed it to sink gradually, paying out the line as far as it would go. When the end was reached, he began drawing it in again until the crab-bait was floating on the surface.

Trot watched him cast the line a second time, and a third. She decided that either there were no fishes in the pool, or they would not bite the crab-bait. But Captain Bill was an old fisherman and not even. Easily discouraged. When the crab got away, he put another on the hook. When the crabs were all gone, he climbed up the rocks and found some more. Meanwhile, Trot tired of watching him and lay down upon the sands, where she fell fast asleep. During the next two hours her clothing dried completely, as did that at the old sailor.

They were both so used to salt water that there was no danger of taking cold. Finally the little girl was wakened by a splash beside her and a grunt of satisfaction from Captain Bill. She opened her eyes to find that the Captain had landed a silver-scale fish weighing about two pounds. This cheered her considerably, and she hurried to scrape together a heap of seaweed while Captain Bill cut up the fish with his jack-knife and got it ready for cooking. They had cooked fish with seaweed before.

Captain Bill wrapped his fish in some of the weeds, and dipped it in the water to dampen it. Then he lighted a match, and set fire to Trot's heap, which speedily burned down to a glowing bed of ashes. Then they laid the wrapped fish on the ashes, covered it with more seaweed, and allowed this to catch fire and burn to embers. After feeding the fire with seaweed for some time, the old sailor finally decided that their supper was ready, so he scattered the ashes and drew out the bits of fish still encased in their smoking wrappings.

When these wrappings were removed, the fish was found thoroughly cooked, and both Trot and Cap'n Bill ate of it freely. It had a slight flavor of seaweed and would have been better with a sprinkling of salt. The soft glow, which until now had lighted the cavern, began to grow dim, but there was a great quantity of seaweed in the place, so after they had eaten their fish they kept the fire alive for a time by giving it a handful of fuel now and then. From an inner pocket the old sailor drew a small flask of battered metal, and unscrewing the cap, handed it to trot.

She took but one swallow of the water, although she wanted more, and she noted that Captain Bill merely wet his lips with it. "'Suppose,' said she, staring at the glowing seaweed fire and speaking slowly, "'that we can catch all the fish we need. How about the drinking water, Captain?' He moved uneasily, but did not reply. Both of them were thinking about the dark hole, but while Trot had little fear of it, the old man could not overcome his dislike to enter the place. He knew that Trot was right, though. To remain in the cavern where they now were would only result in slow but sure death.

It was nighttime up on the earth's surface, so the little girl became drowsy and soon fell asleep. After a time the old sailor slumbered on the sands beside her. It was very still and nothing disturbed them for hours. When at last they awoke, the cavern was light again. They had divided one of the biscuits and were munching it for breakfast when they were startled by a sudden splash in the pool. Looking toward it, they saw emerging from the water the most curious creature either of them had ever beheld.

It wasn't a fish, Trot decided, nor was it a beast. It had wings, though, and queer wings they were, shaped like an inverted chopping-bowl, and covered with tough skin instead of feathers. It had four legs, much like the legs of a stork, only double the number, and its head was shaped a good deal like that of a pall-parrott, with a beak that curved downward in front and upward at the edges, and was half-bill and half-mouth. But to call it a bird was out of the question,

because it had no feathers whatever except a crest of wavy plumes of a scarlet color on the very top of its head. The strange creature must have weighed as much as Captain Bill, and as it floundered and struggled to get out of the water to the sandy beach, it was so big and unusual that both Trot and her companion stared at it in wonder, in wonder that was not unmixed with fear. End of Chapter 2. Chapter 3 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 3 The Ark. The eyes that regarded them, as the creature stood dripping before them, were bright and mild in expression, and the queer addition to their party made no attempt to attack them, and seemed quite as surprised by the meeting as they were. i wonder whispered trot what it is who me exclaimed the creature in a shrill high-pitched voice why i'm an ark oh said the girl but what is an ark i am he repeated a little proudly as he shook the water from his funny wings and if ever an ark was glad to be out of the water and on dry land again you can be mighty sure that you can be mighty sure that that's a special individual arc."

"'Have you been in the water long?' inquired Captain Bill, thinking it only polite to show an interest in the strange creature. "'Why, this last ducking was almost ten minutes. I believe in—that's about nine minutes and sixty seconds too long for comfort,' was the reply. "'But last night I was in an awful pickle, I assure you. The whirlpool caught me in—' Oh, you were in the whirlpool too. Whirlpool, too? asked Trot eagerly.

He gave her a glance that was somewhat reproachful. "'I believe—I was mentioning the fact, young lady, when your desire to talk interrupted me,' said the ark. "'I am not usually careless in my actions, but that whirlpool was so busy yesterday that I thought I'd see what mischief it was up to. So I flew a little too near it, and the suction of the air drew me down into the world—theirled the depths of the ocean. Water and I are natural enemies, and it would have conquered me this time had not a bevy of pretty mermaids come to my assistance, and dragged me away from the whirling

water and far up into a cavern where they deserted me. "'Why, that's about the same thing that happened to us,' cried Trot. "'Was your cavern like this one?' "'I haven't examined this one yet,' answered the ark. "'But if they happen to be alike, I shudder at our fate.' for the other one was a prison with no outlet except by means of the water i stayed there all night however and this morning i plunged into the pool as far down as i could go and then swam as hard and far as i could the rocks scraped my back now and then and i barely escaped the clutches of an ugly sea-monster but by and by i came to the surface to catch my breath and found myself here that's the whole story and as i see you have something to eat i entreat you to give me a share of it the truth is i'm half starved

with these words the ark squatted down beside them very reluctantly cap'n bill drew another biscuit from his pocket and held it out the ark promptly seized it in one of his front claws and began to nibble the biscuit in much the same manner a parrot might have done we don't have much grub said the sailor man but we're willing to share it with the comrade in distress that's right returned the ark cocking its head sideways in a cheerful manner and then for a few minutes there was silence while they all ate of the biscuits after a while trot said i've never seen or heard of an ark before are there many of you we are rather few and exclusive i believe was the report In the country where I was born, we are the absolute rulers of all living things from ants to elephants." "'What country is that?' asked Captain Bill. "'Arcland?' "'Where does it lie?'

"'I don't know exactly. You see, I have a restless nature, for some reason, while all the rest of my race are quiet and contented arcs and seldom stray far from home. from childhood days i love to fly long distances away although father often warned me that i would get into trouble by doing so it's a big whirl flipper my son he would say and i've heard that in parts of it live queer two-legged creatures called men who wore upon all other living things and would have little respect for even an ark this naturally aroused my curiosity and after i had completed my education and left school i decided to fly out into the world and try to get a glimpse of the creatures called men so i left home without saying good-bye and act i shall always regret adventures were many i found i cited men several times but have never before been so close to them as now also i had to fight my way through the air for i met gigantic birds with fluffy feathers all over them which attacked me fiercely

besides it kept me busy escaping from floating airships in my ramblings i had lost all track of distance or direction so that when i wanted to go home i had no idea where my country was located i've now been trying to find it for several months and it was during one of my flights over the ocean that i met the whirlpool and became its victim trot and cap'n bill listened to this recital with much interest and from their friendly tone and harmless appearance of the ark they judged he was not likely to prove so disagreeable a companion as at first they fear he might be the ark sat upon its haunches much as a cat does but used the finger-like claws of its front legs all almost as cleverly as if they were hands. Perhaps the most curious thing about the creature was its tail, or what ought to have been its tail. The queer arrangement of skin, bones, and muscle, was shaped like the propellers used on boats and airships, having fan-like surfaces and being pivoted to its body.

Captain Bill knew something of mechanics, and observing the propeller-like tail of the ark, he said, "'I suppose you're a pretty swift flyer?' "'Yes, indeed. The arcs are admitted to be kings of the air.' "'Your wings don't seem to amount to much,' remarked Trot. "'Well, they're not very big,' admitted the ark, waving the four hollow skins gently to and fro. "'But they serve to support my body in the air, while I speed along by means of my tail. Still, taken together, I'm very handsomely farmed, don't you think?"

Trot did not like to reply, but Captain Bill nodded gravely. "'Barn Ark,' said he, "'you're a wonder. I've never seen one of four, but I can imagine you're as good as any.' That seemed to please the creature, and it began walking around the cavern, making its way easily up the slope. While it was gone, Trot and Captain Bill each took another sip from the water-flask to wash down their breakfast. Why, here's a hole, an exit, an outlet! exclaimed the Ark from above.

We know, said Trot. We found it last night. Well, then let's be off, continued the Ark, after sticking its head into the black hole and sniffing once or twice. The air seems fresh and sweet, and it can't lead us to any worse place than this." The girl and the sailor man got up and climbed to the side of the ark. We'd about decided to explore this hole before you came, explained Captain Bill. But it's a dangerous place to navigate in the dark, so wait till I light a candle. What is a candle?

inquired the ark. You'll see in a minute, said Trot. The old sailor drew one of the candles from his right side pocket, and the ten-match-match book from his left pocket. When he lighted the match, the ark gave a startled jump, and eyed the flame suspiciously. But Captain Bill proceeded to light the candle and the action interested the ark very much. "'Light,' it said somewhat nervously, "'is valuable in a whole of this sort. The candle is not dangerous, I hope?'

"'Sometimes it burns your fingers,' answered Trot. But that's about the worst it can do, except to blow out when you don't want it to. Captain Bill shielded the flame with his hand and crept into the hole. It wasn't any too big for a grown man. But after he had crawled a few feet it grew larger. Trot came close behind him, and then the ark followed. Seems like a regular tunnel, muttered the sailor man, who was creeping along awkwardly because of his wooden leg. The rocks, too, hurt his knees.

For nearly half an hour the three moved slowly along the tunnel, which made many twists and turns, and sometimes slanted downward and sometimes upward. Finally, Cap'n Bill stopped short, with an exclamation of disappointment, and held the flickering candle far ahead to light the scene. What's wrong? demanded Trot, who could see nothing, because the sailor's form completely filled the hole. Why, we've come to the end of our travels, I guess, he replied. Is the hole blocked?

inquired the ark. No, it's wuss nor that, replied Captain Bill sadly. I'm on the edge of a precipice. Wait a minute, now move along and let you see for yourselves. Be careful, Trot, not to fall. Then he crept forward a little, and moved to one side, holding the candle so that the girl could see to follow him. The ark came next, and now all three knelt on a narrow ledge of rock, which dropped straight

away and left a huge black space, which the tiny flame of the candle could not illuminate. Hmm, said the ark, peering over the edge. This doesn't look very promising, I'll admit. But let me take your candle, and I'll fly down and see what's below us. Aren't you afraid? asked Trot. certainly i'm afraid responded the ark but if we intend to escape we can't stay on this shelf forever so as i notice you poor creatures cannot fly it is my duty to explore the place for you cap'n bill handed the ark the candle which had now burned to about half its length the ark took it in one claw rather cautiously and then tipped its body forward and slipped over the edge they heard a queer buzzing sound as the tail revolved and a brisk flapping of the peculiar wings but they were more interested just then in following with their eyes the tiny speck of light which marked the location

of the candle. This light first made a great circle, then dropped slowly downward, and suddenly was extinguished, leaving everything before them black as ink. Hi there, how did that happen? cried the ark. It blew out, I guess, shouted Captain Bill.

Fetch it here. I can't see where you are, said the ark. So Captain Bill got out another candle and lighted it, and its flame enabled the ark to fly back to them it alighted on the edge and held out the bit of candle what made it stop burning asked the creature the wind said trot you must be more careful this time what's the place like inquired cap'n bill i don't know yet but there must be a bottom to it so i'll try to find it with this the ark started out again and this time sank downward more slowly. Down, down, down, it went, till the candle was a mere spark.

And then it headed away to the left, and Trot and Captain Bill lost all sight of it. In a few minutes, however, they saw the spark of light again. And as the sailor still held the second-lighted candle, the ark made straight toward them. It was only a few yards distant, when suddenly it dropped the candle with a cry of pain, and next moment alighted, fluttering wildly upon the rocky ledge. What's the matter? asked Trot. It bit me, wailed the ark. I don't like your candles.

The thing began to disappear slowly as soon as I took it in my claw, and it grew smaller and smaller, until just now it turned and bit me. a most unfriendly thing to do oh oh ouch what a bite that's the nature of candles i'm sorry to say explained cap'n bill with a grin you have to handle em mighty careful but tell us what did you find down there i found a way to continue our journey said the ark nursing tenderly the claw which had been burned just below us is a great lake of black water which looks so cold and wicked that it made me shudder but away at the left there's a big tunnel which we can easily walk through i don't know where it leads to of course but we must follow it and find out why we can't get to it protested the little girl we can't fly as you do you must remember no that's true replied the ark musingly your bodies are built very poorly it seems to me since a very poor all you can do is crawl upon the earth's surface, but you may ride upon my back, and in that way I can promise you a safe journey to the tunnel.

Are you strong enough to carry us?' asked Captain Bill, doubtfully. "'Yes, indeed. I'm strong enough to carry a dozen of you, if you could find a place to sit,' was the reply. "'But there's only room between my wings for one at a time, so I'll have to to make two trips." "'All right, I'll go first,' decided Captain Bill. He lit another candle for Trot to hold while they were gone and to light the Ark on his return to her.

And then the old sailor got upon the Ark's back, where he sat with his wooden legs sticking straight out sideways. "'If you start to fall, clasp your arms around my neck,' advised the creature. if i start the fall it's good night and pleasant dreams said cap'n bill all ready asked the ark start the buzz-tail said cap'n bill with a tremble in his voice but the ark flew away so gently that the old man never even tottered in his seat trot watched the light of captain bill's candle till it disappeared in the far distance she didn't like to be left alone on this dangerous ledge with a lake of black water hundreds of feet below her but she was a brave little girl and waited patiently for the return of the ark it came even sooner than she had expected and the creature said to her your friend is safe in the tunnel now then get aboard and i'll carry you to him in a chiffy i'm not sure how many little girls would have cared to take that awful ride through the huge black cavern on the back of a skinny ark trot didn't care for it herself but it just had to be done and so she did it as courageously as possible

her heart beat fast and she was so nervous she could scarcely hold a candle in her fingers as the ark sped swiftly through the darkness it seemed like a long ride to her yet in reality the ark covered the distance in a wonderfully brief period of time and soon trot stood safely beside cap'n bill on the level floor of a big arched tunnel the sailor man was very glad to greet his little comrade again and both were grateful to the ark for his assistance i don't know where this tunnel leads to remarked cap'n bill but it surely looks more promising than that other hole we crept through when the ark is rested said trot we'll travel on and see what happens rested cried the ark as scornfully as his shrill voice would allow that bit of flying didn't tire me at all i'm used to flying days at a time without ever once stopping then let's move on proposed cap'n bill he still held in his hand one lighted candle So Trot blew out the other flame and placed her candle in the sailor's big pocket. She knew it was not wise to burn two candles at once. The tunnel was straight and smooth and very easy to walk through, so they made good progress.

Trot thought that the tunnel began about two miles from the cavern where they had been cast by the whirlpool, but now it was impossible to guess the miles traveled, for they walked steadily for hours and hours without any change in their surroundings. Finally, Captain Bill stopped to rest. "'There's something queer about this ear tunnel, I'm certain,' he declared, wagging his head dolefully. "'Here's three candles gone already, and only three more left us, yet the tunnel's the same as it was when we started. And how long it's going to keep up, no one knows.'

"'Couldn't we walk without a light?' asked Trot. the way seems safe enough it does right now was the reply but we can't tell when we are likely to come to another gulf or something just as dangerous in that case we'd be killed afore we knew it suppose i go ahead suggested the ark i don't fear of all you know and if anything happens i'll call out and warn you that's a good idea declared trot and cap'n bill thought so, too, so the ark started off ahead, quite in the dark, and hand in hand the two followed him. When they had walked in this way for a good long time, the ark halted and demanded food. Captain Bill had not mentioned food because there was so little left, only three biscuits and a lump of cheese about as big as his two fingers, but he gave the ark half of a biscuit

sighing as he did so the creature didn't care for the cheese so the sailor divided it between himself and trot they lighted a candle and sat down in the tunnel while they ate my feet hurt me grumbled the ork i'm not used to walking and this rocky passage is so uneven and lumpy that it hurts me to walk upon it can't you fly along asked trot no the roof is too low said the ork after the meal they resumed their journey which trot began to fear would never end when cap'n bill noticed how tired the little girl was he paused and lighted a match and looked at his big silver watch why it's night he exclaimed we've tramped all day and still we're in this awful passage which maybe goes straight through the middle of the world and maybe is a circle in which case we can keep on walking till doomsday not knowing what's before us as well as we know what's behind us i propose we make a stop now and try to sleep till morning that will suit me asserted the ark with a groan oh my feet are hurting me dreadfully and for the last few miles i've been limping with pain my foot hurts too said the sailor looking for a spool place on the rocky floor to sit down your foot cried the ark why you're you're a foot cried the ark why you're You've only one to hurt you, while I have four. So I suffer four times as much as you possibly can.

Here hold a candle, while I look at the bottoms of my claws. I declare, he said, examining them by the flickering light, There are bunches of pain all over them. Perhaps, said Trot, who was very glad to sit down beside her companions, You've got corns. Corns? Nonsense. Arks never have corns," protested the creature, rubbing its sore feet tenderly.

"'Then maybe they're—there—what do you call them, Captain Bill? Something about Pilgrim's progress, you know?' "'Bunions,' said Captain Bill. "'Oh, yes, maybe you've got bunions.' "'It's possible,' moaned the ark. "'But whatever they are—' "'Another day of such walking on them would drive me crazy. I'm sure they'll feel better by morning," said Captain Bill, encouragingly.

Go to sleep and try to forget your sore feet." The Ark, cast a reproachful look at the sailor-man, who didn't see it. Then the creature asked plaintively, Do we eat now, or do we starve? There's only half a biscuit left for you," answered Captain Bill. No one knows how long we'll have to stay in this dark tunnel where there's nothing whatever to eat so i advise you to save that morsel of food till later give it to me now demanded the ark if i'm going to starve i'll do it all at once not by degrees captain bill produced the biscuit and the creature ate it in a trice trot was rather hungry and whispered to captain bill that she'd take part of her share but the old man secretly broke his own half biscuit in two saving trot's share for a time of greater need He was beginning to be worried over the little girl's plight, and long after she was asleep

and the ark was snoring in a rather disagreeable manner. Captain Bill sat with his back to a rock, and smoked his pipe, and tried to think of some way to escape from this seemingly endless tunnel. But after a time he also slept, for hobbling on a wooden leg all day was tiresome, and there in the dark slumbered the three adventurers for many hours, until the ark roused itself and kicked the old sailor with one foot. It must be another day, said he. End of chapter three.

Chapter four of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter four. Daylight at last. captain bill rubbed his eyes lit a match and consulted his watch nine o'clock yes i guess it's another day sure enough shall we go on he asked of course replied the ark unless this tunnel is different from everything else in the world and has no end we'll find a way out of it sooner or later the sailor gently wakened trot she felt much rested by her long sleep and sprang to her feet eagerly Let's start, Captain, was all she said. They resumed the journey, and had only taken a few steps, when the Ark cried,

Wow! And made a great fluttering of its wings and whirling of its tail. The others who were following a short distance behind stopped abruptly. What's the matter? asked Captain Bill. Give us a light, was the reply. I think we've come to the end of the tunnel. then while cap'n bill lighted a candle the creature added if that is true we needn't have wakened so soon for we were almost at the end of this place when we went to sleep the sailor-man and trot came forward with the light a wall of rock really faced the tunnel but now they saw that the opening made a sharp turn to the left so they followed on by a narrower passage

and then made another sharp turn this time to the right blow out the light cap'n said the ark in a pleased voice we've struck daylight daylight at last a shaft of mellow light fell almost at their feet as trot and the sailor turned the corner of the passage but it came from above and raising their eyes they found they were at the bottom of a deep rocky well with the top far far above their heads and here the passage ended for a while they gazed in silence at least two of them being filled with dismay of the sight but the ark merely whistled softly and said cheerfully that was the toughest journey i ever had the misfortune to undertake oh and i'm glad it's over yet unless i can manage to fly to the top of this pit we are entombed here forever do you think there is room enough for you to fly in asked the little girl anxiously and cap'n bill added it's a straight-up shaft so i don't see how you'll ever "'Were I an ordinary bird? One of those hard-feathered things. I wouldn't even make the attempt to fly out,' said the ark. "'But my mechanical propeller tail can accomplish wonders, and whenever you're ready, I'll show you a trick that is worthwhile.' "'Oh!' exclaimed Trot, "'do you intend to take us up too?' "'Why not?'

"'I thought,' said Captain Bill. as you'd go first and then send somebody to help us by letting down a rope ropes are dangerous replied the ark and i might not be able to find one to reach all this distance besides it stands to reason that if i can get out myself i can also carry you two with me well i'm not afraid said trot who longed to be on the earth's surface again suppose we fall suggestive asked Captain Bill doubtfully. "'Why, in that case, we would all fall together?' returned the Ark. "'Get aboard, little girl. Sit across my shoulders and put both your arms around my neck.' Trot obeyed, and when she was seated on the Ark, Captain Bill inquired, "'How about me, Mr. Ark?'

"'Why, I think you'd best grab hold of my rear legs, and let me carry you up in that manner,' was the reply. Captain Bill looked way up at the top of the well, and then he looked at the ark's slender, skinny legs, and heaved a deep sigh. "'It's going to be some dangle, I guess. But if you don't waste too much time on the way up, I may be able to hang on,' said he. "'Al ready, then?' cried the ark, and at once his whirling tail began to revolve. Trot felt herself rising into the air. When the creature's legs left the ground, Captain Bill grasped two of them firmly and held on for dear life.

The Ark's body was tipped straight upward, and Trot had to embrace the neck very tightly to keep from sliding off. Even in this position, the Ark had troubled in escaping the rough sides of the well. Several times it exclaimed, Wow! As it bumped its back or a wing hit against some jagged projection, but the tail kept whirring with remarkable swiftness, and the daylight grew brighter and brighter. It was indeed a long journey from the bottom to the top,

yet almost before Trot realized they had come so far, they popped out of the hole into the clear air and sunshine, and a moment later the ark alighted gently upon the ground. The release was so sudden that even with the creature's care for his passengers, Captain Bill struck the earth with a shock that sent him rolling heel overhead, but by the time Trot had slid down from her seat, the old sailor man was sitting up and looking around him with much satisfaction. "'It's sort of pretty here,' said he.

"'Earth is a beautiful place,' cried Trot. "'I wonder where on earth we are,' pondered the ark, turning first one bright eye and then the other to this side and that. Trees there were in plenty and shrubs and flowers and green turf. But there were no houses. There were no paths. There was no sign of civilization whatever. Just before I settled down on the ground,

I thought I caught a view of the ocean. said the ark. Let's see if I was right. Then he flew to a little hill nearby, and Trot and Captain Bill followed him more slowly. When they stood on top of the hill, they could see the blue waves of the ocean in front of them, to the right of them and to the left of them.

Behind the hill was a forest that shut out the view. I hope it ain't an island, Trot, said Captain Bill gravely. If it is, I suppose we're prisoners. she replied exactly so trot but even so it's better than those terrible underground tunnels and caverns declared the girl you are right little one agreed the ark anything above ground is better than the best that lies underground so let's not quarrel with our fate but be thankful we've escaped we are indeed she replied but i wonder if we can find something to eat in this place Let's explore and find out, proposed Captain Bill. Those trees over at the left look like cherry trees. On the way to them the explorers had to walk through a tangle of vines,

and Captain Bill, who went first, stumbled and pitched forward on his face. Why, it's a melon! cried Trot delightedly, as she saw what had caused the sailor to fall. Captain Bill rose to his foot, for he was not at all hurt, and examined the melon then he took his big jack-knife from his pocket and cut the melon open it was quite ripe and looked delicious but the old man tasted it before he permitted trot to eat any deciding it was good he gave her a big slice and then offered the ark some the creature looked at the fruit somewhat disdainfully at first but once he had tasted its flavor he ate of it heartily as did the others among the vines they discovered many other melons and trot said gratefully well there's no danger of our starving even if this is an island "'Melons,' remarked Cap'n Bill,

"'are both food and water. We couldn't have struck anything better. Farther on they came to the cherry trees, where they obtained some of the fruit, and at the edge of the little forest were wild plums. The forest itself consisted of nut trees, walnuts, filberts, almonds, and chestnuts, so there would be plenty of wholesome food for them while they remained here.'

"'Captain Bill and Trot.' decided to walk through the forest, to discover what was on the other side of it, but the ark's feet were still so sore and lumpy from walking on the rocks, that the creature said he preferred to fly over the treetops and meet them on the other side. The forest was not large, so by walking briskly for fifteen minutes they reached its farthest edge and saw before them the shore of the ocean. "'It's an island all right,' said Trot with a sigh. yes and a pretty island too said cap'n bill trying to conceal his disappointment on trot's account i guess partner if the was comes to us i could build a raft or even a boat from those trees so's we could sail away in it

the girl brightened at this suggestion i don't see the ark anywhere she remarked looking around then her eyes lighted upon something and she exclaimed oh cap'n bill "'Isn't that a house over there to the left?' Captain Bill, looking closely, saw a shed-like structure built at one edge of the forest. "'Seems like it trot. Not that I call it much of a house. But it's a building all right. Let's go over and see if it's occupied. End of Chapter 4. Chapter 5 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Labrovoc's recording is in the public address.

domain. Chapter 5 The Little Old Man of the Island. A few steps brought them to the shed, which was merely a roof of boughs built over a square space, with some branches of trees fastened to the sides to keep off the wind. The front was quite open and faced the sea, and as our friends came nearer, they observed a little man with a long-pointed beard, sitting motionless on a stool and staring thoughtfully out over the water. "'Get out of the way, please,' he called in a fretful voice. "'Can't you see you are obstructing my view?' "'Good morning,' said Captain Bill politely.

"'It isn't a good morning,' snapped the little man. "'I've seen plenty of mornings better than this. Do you call it a good morning when I'm pestered with such a crowd as you? Trot was astonished to hear such words from a stranger whom they had greeted quite properly. And Captain Bill grew red at the little man's rudeness. But the sailor said in a quiet tone of voice, Are you the only one as live on this ear island? Your grammar's bad, was the reply.

But this is my own exclusion. of island and i'll thank you to get off it as soon as possible we'd like to do that said trot and then she and cap'n bill turned away and walked down to the shore to see if any other land was in sight the little man rose and followed them although both were now too provoked to pay any attention to him nothing inside partner reported cap'n bill shading his eyes with his hand So we'll have to stay here for a time, anyhow. It isn't a bad place, Trot, by any means. That's all you know about it, broke in the little man. The trees are altogether too green, and the rocks are harder than they ought to be. I find the sand very grainy and the water dreadfully wet.

Every breeze makes a draught, and the sun shines in the daytime when there's no need of it, and disappears just as soon as it begins to get dark if you remain here you'll find the island very unsatisfactory trot turned to look at him and her sweet face was grave and curious i wonder who you are she said my name is pesim said he with an air of pride i'm called the observer oh what do you observe and-and-you-observe and-and-exam said he with an air of pride i'm called the observer oh what do you observe asked the little girl everything i see was the reply in a more surly tone then pessim drew back with a startled exclamation and looked at some footprints in the sand why goodness me he cried in distress what's the matter now asked cap'n bill someone has pushed the earth in don't you see it it isn't pushed in far enough to hurt anything said trot examining the footprints everything hurts that isn't right insisted the man if the earth were pushed in a mile it would be a great calamity wouldn't it i suppose so admitted the little girl well here it is pushed in a full inch that's a twelfth of a foot or a little more than a millionth part of a mile therefore it is one millionth part of a calamity oh dear how dreadful said pessimim in a wailing voice

try to forget it sir advised cap'n bill soothingly it's beginning to rain let's get under your shed and keep dry raining is it really raining asked pesham beginning to weep it is answered cap'n bill soothingly answer cap'n Bill, as the drops began to descend, and I don't see any way to stop it, although I'm some observer myself. "'No, we can't stop it, I fear,' said the man. "'Are you very busy just now?' "'I won't be after I get to the shed,' replied the sailor-man. "'Then do me a favor, please,' begged Pessam, walking briskly along behind them, for they were hastening to the shed.

"'Depens on what it is,' said Captain M. Bill. I wish you would take my umbrella down to the shore and hold it over the poor fishes till it stops raining. I'm afraid they'll get wet, said Pessam. Trot laughed. But Captain Bill thought the little man was poking fun at him, and so he scowled upon Pessam in a way that showed he was angry.

They reached the shed before getting very wet, although the rain was now coming down in big drops. The roof of the shed protected them, and while they stood watching the rainstorm, something buzzed in and circled around Pessam's head. At once the observer began beating it away with his hands, crying out, "'A bumblebee! A bumble-bee! The queerest bumble-bee I ever saw!' Captain Bill and Trot both looked at it, and the little girl said in surprise, dear me it's a wee little ark that's what it is sure enough exclaimed cap'n bill really it wasn't much bigger than a big bumble-bee and when it came to our trot she allowed it to alight on her shoulder it's me all right said a very small voice in her ear but i'm in an awful pickle just the same what

are you our ark then demanded the girl much amazed no i'm my own ark but i'm the only ork you know replied the tiny creature what's happened to you asked the sailor putting his head close to trot's shoulder in order to hear the reply better pessam also put his head close and the ark said you will remember that when i left you i started to fly over the trees and just as i got to this side of the forest i saw a bush that was loaded down with the most luscious fruit you can imagine the fruit was about the size of a gooseberry and of a lovely lavender color so i swooped down and picked off one in my bill and ate it and at once i began to grow small i could feel myself shrinking shrieking away and it frightened me terribly so that i alighted on the ground to think over what was happening in a few seconds i had shrunk to the size you now see me but there i remained getting no smaller indeed but no larger it is certainly a dreadful affliction after i had recovered somewhat from the shock i began to search for you it is not so easy to find one's way when a creature is so small but fortunately i spied you here in this shed and came to see you at once cap'n bill and trot were much astonished at this story and felt grieved for the poor ark but the little man pessim seemed to think it a good joke he began laughing when he heard the story and laughed until he choked

after which he lay down on the ground and rolled and laughed again while the tears of merriment coursed down his wrinkled cheeks "'Oh, dear, oh dear!' he finally gasped, sitting up and wiping his eyes. "'This is too, rich. It is almost too joyful to be true.' "'I don't see anything funny about it,' remarked Trot indignantly. "'You would if you had my experience?' said Pessam, getting upon his feet and gradually resuming his solemn and dissatisfied expression of countenance. the same thing happened to me oh did it and how did you happen to come to this island asked the girl i didn't come the neighbors brought me replied the little man with a frown at the recollection they said i was quarrelsome and fault-finding and blamed me because i told them all the things that went wrong or never were right and because i told them how things are

to be. So they brought me here, and left me all alone, saying that if I quarreled with myself, no one else would be made unhappy. Absurd, wasn't it? Seems to me, said Captain Bill. Those neighbors did the proper thing. Well, resumed Pessam, when I found myself king of this island, I was obliged to live upon the fruits, and I found many fruits. And I found many fruits. growing here that I had never seen before. I tasted several and found them good and wholesome. But one day I ate a lavender berry, as the ark did, and immediately I grew so small that I was scarcely two inches high. It was a very unpleasant condition, and like the ark I became frightened. I could not walk very well, nor very far, for every lump of earth in

in my way seemed a mountain. Every blade of grass a tree, and every grain of sand, a rocky boulder. For several days I stumbled around in an agony of fear. Once a tree-toed nearly gobbled me up, and if I ran out from the shelter of the bushes, the gulls and the comerants swooped down upon me. Finally I decided to eat another berry and become nothing at all, since life to one. to one so small as I was, had become a dreary nightmare. At last I found a small tree that I thought bore the same fruit as that I had eaten.

The berry was dark purple instead of light lavender, but otherwise it was quite similar. Being unable to climb the tree, I was obliged to wait underneath it until a sharp breeze arose and shook the limbs so that a berry fell. I ceased it, and taking a last view of the world, as I then thought, I ate the berry in a twinkling. Then, to my surprise, I began to grow big again, until I became my former stature. And so I have remained, needless to say, I have never eaten again of the lavender fruit, nor do any of the beasts or birds that live upon this island eat it. They had all three listened eagerly to this amazing tale, and when it was finished,

the ark exclaimed, "'Do you think then that the deep purple berry is the antidote for the lavender one?' "'I'm sure of it,' answered Pessam. "'Then lead me to the tree at once,' begged the ark. "'For this tiny form I now have terrifies me greatly.' Pessam examined the ark closely. "'You are ugly enough as you are,' said he. "'Were you any larger, you might be dangerous.'

"'Oh, no!' Trot assured him. "'The ark has been our good friend. Please take us to the tree.' The Pessam consented, although rather reluctantly. He led them to the right, which was the east side of the island, and in a few minutes brought them near to the edge of the grove which faced the shore of the ocean. Here stood a small tree bearing berries of a deep purple color. The fruit looked very enticing, and Captain Bill reached up and selected one that seemed

especially plump and ripe. The ark had remained perched upon Trot's shoulder, but now it flew down to the ground. It was so difficult for Captain Bill to kneel down with his wooden leg, that the little girl took the berry from him and held it close to the ark's head. It's too big to go into my mouth, said the little creature, looking at the fruit sidewise. You'll have to make several mouthfuls of it, I guess, said Trot, and that is what the ark did. He pecked at the soft, ripe fruit with his bill and ate it up very quickly because it was good. even before he had finished the berry they could see the ark begin to grow in a few minutes he had regained his natural size and was strutting before them quite delighted with his transformation well well what do you think of me now he asked proudly you are very skinny and remarkably ugly declared pessum you are a poor judge of arks was the

reply anyone can see that i'm much handsomer than those dreadful things called birds which are all fluffin feathers their feathers make soft beds asserted and my skin would make excellent drumheads retorted the ark nevertheless a plucked bird or a skinned ork would be of no value to himself so we needn't brag of our usefulness after we are dead But for the sake of argument, friend Pessam, I'd like to know what good you would be were you not alive. Never mind that, said Captain Bill. He isn't much good as he is. I am king of this island, allowed me to say, and you're intruding on my property, declared the little man, scowling upon them. If you don't like me, and I'm sure you don't.

don't for no one else does. Why don't you go away and leave me to myself?" "'Well, the ark can fly, but we can't,' explained Trot in answer. "'We don't want to stay here a bit, but I don't see how we can get away. You can go back into the hole you came from.' Captain Bill shook his head. Trot shuddered at the thought. The ark laughed aloud. you may be king here the creature said to pessam but we intend to run this island to suit ourselves for we are three and you are one and the balance of power lies with us the little man made no reply to this although as they walked back to the shed his face wore its fiercest scowl cap'n bill gathered a lot of leaves and assisted by truels prepared two nice beds in opposite corners of the shed.

Pessam slept in a hammock, which he swung between two trees. They required no dishes, as all their food consisted of fruits and nuts picked from the trees. They made no fire, for the weather was warm and there was nothing to cook. The shed had no furniture other than the rude stool which the little man was accustomed to sit upon. He called it his throne, and they let him keep it. So they lived upon the island for three days, and rested and ate to their heart's content. Still, they were not at all happy in this life because of Pessim. He continually found fault with them in all that they did, and all their surroundings.

He could see nothing good or admirable in all the world, and trottenham. soon came to understand why the little man's farmer neighbors had brought him to this island and left him there all alone, so he could not annoy anyone. It was their misfortune that they had been led to this place by their adventures, for often they would have preferred the company of a wild beast to that of Pessam. On the fourth day a happy thought came to the ark. They had all been racking their brains for a possible way to leave the island, and discussing this or that method, without finding a plan that was practical. Captain Bill had said he could make a raft of the trees big enough to float them all, but he had no tools except for those two pocket-knives, and it was not possible to chop

down trees with such small blades. "'And suppose we got a float on the ocean,' said Trot. "'Where would we drift to, and how long would it take us to get there?' Captain Bill was forced to admit he didn't know. The Ark could fly away from the island any time it wished to, but the queer creature was loyal to his new friends, and refused to leave them in such a lonely, forsaken place. It was when Trot urged him to go, on this fourth morning, that the

The Ark had his happy thought. "'I will go,' said he, "'if you two will agree to ride upon my back.' "'We're too heavy. You might drop us,' observed Captain Bill. "'Yes, you are rather heavy for a long journey,' acknowledged the Ark. "'But you might eat of those lavender berries and become so small so that I could carry you with ease." This quaint suggestion startled Trot, and she looked gravely at the speaker while she considered

it. But Captain Bill gave a scornful snort and asked, What would become of us afterward? We wouldn't be much good if we were some two or three inches high. No, Mr. Ork, I'd rather stay here as I am than be a hop on my thumb somewhere else." why couldn't you take some of the dark purple berries along with you to eat after we had reached our destination inquired the ark then you can grow big again whenever you pleased trot clapped her hands with delight that's it she exclaimed let's do it cap'n bill the old sailor did not like the idea at first but he thought it over carefully and the more he thought the better it seemed.

How could you manage to carry us if we were so small? he asked. I could put you in a paper bag and tie the bag around my neck. But we haven't a paper bag, objected Trot. The Ark looked at her. There's your sunbonnet, it said presently. Which is hollow in the middle and has two strings that you could tie around my neck. Trot took off her sun bonnet and regarded it critically. yes it might easily hold both her and cap'n bill after they had eaten the lavender berries and been reduced in size

she tied the strings around the ark's neck and the sunbonnet made a bag in which two tiny people might ride without danger of falling out so she said i believe we'll do it that way cap'n Captain Bill groaned, but could make no special objection, except that the plan seemed to him quite dangerous, and dangerous in more ways than one. I think so myself, said Trot soberly, but nobody can stay alive without getting into danger sometimes. And danger doesn't mean getting hurt, Captain. It only means we might get hurt, so I guess we'll have to take the risk. Let's go and find the berries, said the ark. They said nothing to Pessam, who was sitting on his stool and scowling dismally as he stared at the ocean, but started at once to seek the trees that bore the magic fruits.

The ark remembered very well where the lavender berries grew, and led his companions quickly to the spot. Captain Bill gathered two berries and placed them carefully in his pocket. Then they went around to the east side of the island, and found the tree that bore the dark purple berries. "'I guess I'll take four of these,' said the sailor-man. "'So in case one doesn't make us grow big we can eat another.' "'Better take six,' advised the ark. "'It's well to be on the safe side, and I'm sure these trees grow nowhere else in all the world.' so cap'n bill gathered six of the purple berries and with their precious fruit they returned to the shed to bid good-bye to pessam

perhaps they would not have granted the surly little man this courtesy had they not wished to use him to tie the sun-bonnet around the orc's neck when pessam learned they were about to leave him he at first looked greatly pleased but he suddenly reckoned collected that nothing ought to please him, and so began to grumble about being left alone. "'We know it wouldn't suit you,' remarked Captain Bill. "'It didn't suit you to have us here, and it won't suit you to have us go away.' "'That is quite true,' admitted Pessam. "'I haven't been suited since I can remember, so it doesn't matter to me in the least whether you go or stay.' He was interested in their experience.

it, however, and willingly agreed to assist, although he prophesied they would fall out of the sun-bonnet on their way, and be either drowned in the ocean or crushed upon some rocky shore. This uncheerful prospect did not daunt Trot, but it made Captain Bill quite nervous. "'I will eat my berry first,' said Trot, as she placed her son Bonnet on the ground, in such a manner that they could get into it. Then she ate the lavender berry, and in a few seconds, became so small that Captain Bill

picked her up gently with his thumb in one finger, and placed her in the middle of the sun-bonnet. Then he placed beside her the six purple berries, each one being about as big as the tiny trot's head, and all preparations being now made, the old sailor ate his lavender berry, and became very small, wooden leg, and all. Captain Bill stumbled sadly in trying to climb over the edge of the sunbonnet, and pitched in beside Trot headfirst, which caused the unhappy peasant to laugh with glee.

Then the king of the island picked up the sunbonnet, so rudely that he shook its occupants like peas in the pod, and tied it by means of its strings securely around the ark's neck. "'I hope, Trot, you sowed those strings on tight,' said Captain Bill anxiously. "'Why, we are not very heavy, you know,' she replied. So I think the stitches will hold. But be careful and not crush the berries, Captain.' "'One is jammed already,' he said, looking at them. "'Already?' asked the ark.

Yes, they cried together, and Pessam came close to the sun-bonnet and called out to them, You'll be smashed or drowned, I'm sure you will, but farewell and good ridden to you. The ark was provoked by this unkind speech, so he turned his tail upon the little man and made it revolve so fast that the rush of air tumbled Pessum over backwards, and he rolled several times upon the ground before he could stop himself and sit up. By that time the ark was high in the air, and speeding swiftly over the ocean. End of Chapter 5. Chapter 6 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 6 The Flight of the Midgets Captain Bill and Trot rode very comfortably in the sunbonnet. The motion was quite steady, for they weighed so little that the ark flew without effort. Yet they were both somewhat nervous about their future fate, and could not help wishing they were safe on land and their natural size again. "'You're terrible small, Trot,' remarked Captain Bill, looking at his companion. "'Same to you, Captain,' she said with a laugh.

"'But as long as we have the purple berries, we needn't worry about our size.' "'In a circus,' mused the old man, "'we'd be curiosities. "'But in a sun-bonnet high up in the air, sailing over a big unknown ocean, "'they ain't no word in my book-shenary to describe us.' "'Why, we're midgets, that's all,' said the little girl. The Ark flew silently for a long time. The slight swaying of the sunbonnet made Captain Bill drowsy, and he began to doze.

Trot, however, was wide awake, and after enduring the monotonous journey as long as she was able, she called out, Don't you see any land anywhere, Mr. Ork? Not yet, he answered. This is a big ocean, and I've no idea in which. direction the nearest land to that island lies. But if I keep flying in a straight line, I'm sure to reach some place, sometime." That seemed reasonable. So the little people in the sun-bonnet remained as patient as possible, that is,

Captain Bill dozed, and Trot tried to remember her geography lessons, so she could figure out what land they were likely to arrive at. For hours and hours the ark flew steadily, keeping to the straight line and searching with his eyes the horizon of the ocean for land. Captain Bill was fast asleep and snoring, and Trot had laid her head on his shoulder to rest it, when suddenly the ark exclaimed, There I've caught a glimpse of land at last! At this announcement they roused themselves.

Captain Bill stood up and tried to peek over the edge of the sunbonnet. What does it look like? he inquired. Looks like another island, said the Ark. But I can judge it better in a minute or two. I don't care much for islands since we visited that other one, declared Trot. Soon the Ark made another announcement. It is surely an island and a little one too, said he. But I won't stop.

because I see a much bigger land straight ahead of it." That's right, approved Captain Bill. The bigger the land, the better it will suit us." It's almost a continent, continued the ark after a brief silence, during which he did not decrease the speed of his flight. I wonder if it can be Arkland, the place I've been seeking so long. I hope not, whispered Trot to Captain Bill, so softly that the Ark could not hear her. For I shouldn't like to be in a country where only Arks live.

This one Ark isn't a bad companion, but a lot of him wouldn't be much fun. After a few more minutes of flying, the Ark called out in a sad voice. No, this is not my country. It's a place I have never seen before. although I have wondered far and wide, it seems to be all mountains and deserts and green valleys and queer cities and lakes and rivers mixed up in a very puzzling way. Most countries are like that, commented Captain Bill. Are you going to land?' "'Pretty soon,' was the reply. "'There is a mountain peak just ahead of me. What do you say to our landing on that?'

all right agreed the sailor man for both he and trot were getting tired of riding in the sunbonnet and longed to set foot on solid ground again so in a few minutes the ark slowed down his speed and then came to a stop so easily that they were scarcely jarred at all then the creature squatted down until the sunbonnet rested on the ground and began trying to unfasten with its claws the knotted shone with its claws the knotted shone. strings. This proved a very clumsy task, because the strings were tied at the back of the ork's neck, just where his claws would not easily reach. After much fumbling he said, I'm afraid I can't let you out, and there is no one near to help me. This was at first discouraging, but after a little thought, Captain Bill said. If you don't mind, Trot, I can cut a slit in your sun bonnet with my knife. Do, she replied.

The slit won't matter, because I can sew it up afterwards when I am big. So Cap'n Bill got out his knife, which was just as small, in proportion as he was, and after considerable trouble managed to cut a long slit in the sun bonnet. First he squeezed through the opening himself, and then helped trot to get out. When they stood on firm ground again, their first act was to begin eating the dark purple berries which they had brought with them. Two of these Trot had guarded carefully during the long journey by holding them in her lap, for their safety meant much to the tiny people.

"'I'm not very hungry,' said the little girl as she handed a berry to Captain Bill, But hunger doesn't count in this case. It's like taking medicine to make you well. So we must manage to eat them somehow or other. But the berries proved quite pleasant to taste. And as Cap'n Bill and Trot nibbled at their edges, their forms began to grow in size, slowly but steadily. The bigger they grew, the easier it was for them to eat the berries,

which, of course, became smaller. to them, and by the time the fruit was eaten, our friends had regained their natural size. The little girl was greatly relieved when she found herself as large as she had ever been, and Cap'n Bill shared her satisfaction, for although they had seen the effect of the berries on the ark, they had not been sure the magic fruit would have the same effect on human beings, or that the magic would work in any other country than that in which the berries grew. What shall we do with the other four berries?" asked Trot, as she picked up her son, Bonnet, marveling that she had ever been small enough to ride in it.

They're no good to us now, are they, Captain?" I'm not so sure as to that, he replied. If they were eaten by one who had never eaten the lavender berries, they might have no effect at all. But then, contrary why. they might. One of them has got badly jammed, so I'll throw it away. But the other three, I believe I'll carry with me. They're magic things, you know, and may come handy to us sometime. He now searched in his big pockets and drew out a small wooden box with a sliding cover.

The sailor had kept an assortment of nails of various sizes in this box, but those he now dumped loosely into his pocket, and in the box placed the three sound purple berries. When this important matter was attended to, they found time to look about them and see what sort of place the ark had landed them in. End of Chapter 6. Chapter 7 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 7 The Bumpy Man

The mountain on which they had alighted was not a barren waste, but had on its sides patches of green grass, some bushes, a few slender trees, and, here and there, masses of tumbled rocks. The sides of the slope seemed rather steep, but with care one could climb up or down them with ease and safety. The view from where they now stood showed pleasant valleys and fertile hills lying below the heights. Trot thought she saw some houses of queer shapes scattered about the lower landscape, and there were moving dots that might be people or animals, yet were too far away for her to see them

clearly. Not far from the place where they stood was the top of the mountain, which seemed to be flat, so the ark proposed to his companions that he would fly up and see what was there." "'That's a good idea,' said Trot, "'cause it's getting toward evening and we'll have to find a place to sleep.' The ark had not been gone more than a few minutes, when they saw him appear on the edge of the top which was nearest them.

"'Come on up!' he called. So Trot and Cap'n Bill began to ascend the steep slope, and it did not take them long to reach the place where the ark awaited them. Their first view of the mountaintop pleased them very much. It was a level space of wider extent than they had guessed, and upon it grew grass of a brilliant green color. In the very center stood a house built of stone and very neatly constructed. No one was in sight, but smoke was coming from the chimney, so with one accord all three

began walking toward the house. I wonder, said Trot, in what country? we are, and if it's very far from my home in California." "'Can't say as to that, partner,' answered Captain Bill. "'But I'm might as certain we've come a long way since we struck that whirlpool.' "'Yes,' she agreed with a sigh. "'It must be miles and miles.' "'Distance means nothing,' said the Ark.

"'I have flown pretty much all over the world, trying to find my home, and it is astonishing how many little countries there are hidden away in the cracks and corners of this big globe of earth. If one travels he may find some new country at every turn, and a good many of them have never yet been put upon the maps. Perhaps this is one of them, suggested Trot. They reached the house after a brisk walk, and Captain Bill knocked upon the door. It was at once opened by a rugged-looking man who had bumps all over him, as Trot afterward declared. There were bumps on his head, bumps on his body and bumps on his arms and legs and hands.

Even his fingers had bumps on the ends of them. For a dress he wore an old, gray suit of fantastic design, which fitted him very badly because of the bumps he covered but could not conceal. But the bumpy man's eyes were kind and twinkling in expression, and as soon as he saw his visitors, he bowed low and said in a rather bumpy voice, "'Hapy day! Come in and shut the door, for it grows cool where the sun goes down. Winter is now upon us.' "'Why, it isn't cold a bit outside,' said Trot, so it can't be winter yet.

You will change your mind about that in a little while," declared the bumpy man. My bumps always tell me the state of the weather, and they feel just now as if a snowstorm was coming this way. But make yourself at home, strangers. Supper is nearly ready, and there is food enough for all. Inside the house there was but one large room, simply but comfortably furnished. It had benches, a table, and a fireplace, all made of stone. On the hearth a pot was bubbling and steaming, and Trot thought it had a rather nice smell.

The visitors seated themselves upon the benches, except the ark which squatted by the fireplace, and the bumpy man began stirring the kettle briskly. "'May I ask what country this is, sir?' inquired Captain Bill. "'Goodness me! Fruit-cake! an apple sauce. Don't you know where you are?" Asked the bumpy man as he stopped stirring and looked at the speaker in surprise. No, admitted Captain Bill.

We've just arrived. Lost your way? Questioned the bumpy man. Not exactly, said Captain Bill. We didn't have any way to lose. Ah, said the bumpy man nodding his bumpy head. This, he announced, an a solemn impression. impressive voice, is the famous Land of Moe."

Oh! exclaimed the sailor and the girl, both in one breath. But never having heard of the land of Moe, they were no wiser than before. I thought that would startle you, remarked the bumpy man well pleased, as he resumed his stirring. The Ark watched him awhile in silence, and then asked, Who may you be?" "'Me?' answered the bumpy man. "'Haven't you heard of me?

Ginger bread and lemon juice. I'm known far and wide as the Mountain Ear.' They all received this information in silence at first, for they were trying to think what he could mean. Finally Trot mustered up courage to ask, "'What is a Mountain Ear, please?' For answer the man turned around and face him, waving the spoon with which he had been stirring the kettle, as he recited the

following verses in a sing-song tone of voice. Here's a mountain heart of hearing. That's sad-hearted and needs cheering. So my duty is to listen to all sounds that nature makes, so the hill won't get uneasy, get to coughing or get sneezy. For this monster bump, when frightened, is quite liable to. quakes. You can hear a bell that's ringing, I can feel some people singing, but a mountain is insensible

of what goes on, and so, when I hear a blizzard blowing or it's raining hard or snowing, I tell it to the mountain, and the mountain seems to know. Thus I benefit all people while I'm living on this steeple, for I keep the mountain steady so my neighbors all may thrive, with my listening and my shouting. I prevent this mount from spouting, and that makes me so important that I'm glad that I'm alive." When he had finished these lines of verse, the bumpy man turned again to resume his stirring. The ark laughed softly, and Captain Bill whistled to himself, and Trot made up her mind that the mountaineer must be a little crazy.

But the bumpy man seemed satisfied that he had explained his position fully. and presently he placed four stone plates upon the table, and then lifted the kettle from the fire and poured some of its contents on each of the plates. Captain Bill and Trot at once approached the table, for they were hungry, but when she examined her plate, the little girl exclaimed, "'Why, it's molasses candy.' "'To be sure,' answered the bumpy man with a pleasant smile, Eat it quick while it's hot, for it cools very quickly this winter weather. With this he seized a stone spoon and began putting the hot molasses candy into his mouth,

while the others watched him in astonishment. "'Doesn't it burn you?' asked the girl. "'No, indeed,' said he. "'Why don't you eat? Aren't you hungry?' "'Yes,' she replied, "'I'm hungry. But we usually eat our candy when it's cold and hard. We always pull molasses candy before we eat it."

Ha ha ha! Laugh the mountaineer. What a funny idea! Where in the world did you come from?" California, she said. California, pooh. There isn't any such place. I've heard of every place in the land of Moe, but I never before heard of California.

It isn't in the land of Mo," she explained. Then it isn't worth talking about, declared the bumpy man, helping himself again from the steaming kettle, for he had been eating all the time he talked. For my part, sighed Captain Bill. I'd like a decent square meal once more just by way of variety. In the last place there was nothing but fruit to eat, and here it's worse for there's nothing but candy." "'Melassus candy isn't so bad,' said Trot.

Mine's nearly cool enough to pull already. Wait a bit, cap'n, and you can eat it." A little later she was able to gather the candy from the stone plate and began to work it back and forth with her hands. The mountaineer was greatly amazed at this and watched her closely. It was really good candy and pulled beautifully. So that Trot was soon ready to cut it into chunks for eating. Cap'n Bill condescended to eat one or two pieces, and the ark ate several, but the

bumpy man refused to try it. Trot finished the plate of candy herself and then asked for a drink of water. "'Water?' said the mountain ear wonderingly. "'What is that?' "'Something to drink. Don't you have water in Mo?' none that i ever heard of said he but i can give you some fresh lemonade i caught it in a jar the last time it rained which was only day before yesterday oh does it rain lemonade here she inquired always and it is very refreshing and helpful with this he brought from a cupboard a stone jar and a dipper and the girl found it very nice lemonade indeed captain billy lill's he brought from a cupboard a stone jar and a dipper and the girl found it very nice lemonade indeed captain bill

liked it, too, but the Ark would not touch it. "'If there is no water in this country, I cannot stay here for long,' the creature declared. Water means life to man and beast and bird." "'There must be water and lemonade,' said Trot. "'Yes,' answered the Ark. "'I suppose so, but there are other things in it, too, and they spoil the good water.' The day's adventures had made our wonderers' tired. So the bumpy man brought them some blankets in which they roll themselves, and then

lay down before the fire, which their host kept alive with fuel all through the night. Trot wakened several times and found the mountaineer always alert and listening intently for the slightest sound. But the little girl could hear no sound at all except the snores of Cap'n Bill. End of Chapter 7. Chapter 8 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Labor Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 8.

Button Bright is lost and found again. Wake up, wake up, call the voice of the bumpy man. Didn't I tell you winter was coming? I could hear it coming with my left ear, and the proof is that it is now snowing, hard outside." "'Is it?' said Trot, rubbing her eyes and creeping out of her blanket. Where I live in California, I have never seen snow, except far away on the tops of high mountains.

"'Well, this is the top of a high mountain,' returned the bumpy one, and for that reason we get our heaviest snowfalls right here.' The little girl went to the window and looked out. The air was filled with falling white flakes. large in size and so queer in form, that she was puzzled. Are you certain this is snow?" she asked. To be sure, I must get my snow shovel and turn out to shovel a path. Would you like to come with me?"

Yes, she said, and follow the bumpy man out when he opened the door. Then she exclaimed, Why, it is in cold a bit. Of course not, replied the man. It was cold last night before the snowstorm, but snow when it falls is always crisp and warm." Trot gathered a handful of it. Why, it's popcorn, she cried. Certainly. All snow is popcorn.

What did you expect it to be? Popcorn is not snow in my country. Well, it is the only snow we have in the land of Moe, so you may as well make the best of it, he a little impatiently. I'm not responsible for the absurd things that happen in your country, and when you're in mo you must do as the mo-men do. Eat some of our snow, and you will find it is good. The only fault I find with our snow is that we get too much of it at times."

With this the bumpy man set to work shoveling a path, and he was so quick and industrious that he piled up the popcorn in great banks on either side of the trail, and he was that led to the mountaintop from the plains below. While he worked, trot ate popcorn and found it crisp and slightly warm, as well as nicely salted and buttered. Presently Captain Bill came out of the house and joined her. What's this? he asked. Mo Snow, said she.

But it isn't real snow, although it falls from the sky. It's popcorn. Captain Bill tasted it. it. Then he sat down in the path and began to eat. The ark came out and pecked away with his bill as fast as it could. They all liked popcorn, and they all were hungry this morning. Meantime, the flakes of Mo Snow came down so fast that the number of them almost darkened the air. The bumpy man was now shoveling quite a distance down the mountainside, while the path behind him rapidly filled up with fresh fallen popcorn.

Suddenly, Trot heard him call out. Goodness gracious, Mint's pie and pancakes. Here's someone buried in the snow. She ran toward him at once, and the others followed, wading through the corn and crunching it underneath their feet. The moe snow was pretty deep, where the bumpy man was shoveling, and from beneath a great bank of it he had uncovered a pan. of feet.

"'Dear me, someone has been lost in the storm,' said Captain Bill. I hope he is still alive. Let's pull him out and see." He took hold of one foot, and the bumpy man took hold of the other. They both pulled, and out from the heap of popcorn came a little boy. He was dressed in a brown velvet jacket and knickerbuckers, with brown stockings, buckled shoes and a blue shirt-waist that had frills down its front. When drawn from the heap, the boy was chewing a mouthful of popcorn, and both his hands

were full of it. So at first he couldn't speak to his rescuers, but lay quite still and eyed them calmly, until he had swallowed his mouthful. Then he said, Get my cap! And stuffed more popcorn into his mouth. While the bumpy man began shoveling into the corn-bank to find the boy's cap, Trot was laughing joyfully, and Captain Bill had a broad grin on his face. The ark looked from

one to another and asked, "'Who is this stranger?' "'Why, it's button-bright, of course,' answered Trot. "'If anyone ever finds a lost boy, he can make up his mind its button-bright. But how we ever came to be lost. in this far country is more than I can make out." "'Where does he belong?' inquired the Ark. "'His home used to be in Philadelphia, I think. But I'm quite sure Button Bright doesn't belong anywhere.' "'That's right,' said the boy, nodding his head as he swallowed the second mouthful.

"'Every one belongs somewhere,' remarked the Ark. "'Not me,' insisted Button Bright. "'I'm halfway round the world from Philadelphia.' and I've lost my magic umbrella that used to carry me anywhere. Stands the reason that if I can't get back, I haven't any home. But I don't care much. This is a pretty good country, Trot. I've had lots of fun here.

By this time the mountain ear had secured the Boris cap and was listening to the conversation with much interest. It seems you know this poor snow-covered castaway, he said. "'Yes, indeed,' answered Trot. "'We made a journey together to Sky Island once, and were good friends.' "'Well, then I'm glad I saved his life,' said the bumpy man. "'Much obliged, Mr. Nobs,' said Buttonbright, sitting up and staring at him. "'But I don't believe you saved anything except some popcorn that I might have eaten had you not disturbed me.

It was nice and warm in that bank of popcorn, and there was plenty to eat. eat. What made you dig me out? And what makes you so bumpy everywhere?" "'As for the bumps,' replied the man, looking at himself with much pride, "'I was born with them, and I suspect they were a gift from the fairies. They make me look rugged and big, like the mountain I serve.' "'All right,' said Buttonbright, and began eating popcorn again. It had stopped snowing now, and great flocks of birds were gathering around the mountainside, eating the popcorn with much eagerness and scarcely noticing the people at all.

There were birds of every size and color, most of them having gorgeous feathers and plumes. "'Just look at them!' exclaimed the ark scornfully. "'Aren't they dreadful creatures, all covered with feathers?' "'I think they're beautiful,' said Troubysk. and this made the ark so indignant that he went back into the house and sulked. Button-bright reached out his hand and caught a big bird by the leg. At once it rose into the air and it was so strong that it nearly carried the little boy off. He let go the leg in a hurry, and the bird flew down again and began to eat of the popcorn,

not being frightened in the least. This gave Captain Bill an idea. He felt in his pocket and drew out several pieces of stout string. Moving very quietly so as not to alarm the birds, he crept up to several of the biggest ones and tied cords around their legs, thus making them prisoners. The birds were so intent on their eating that they did not notice what had happened to them. And when about twenty had been captured in this manner, cap'n Bill tied the ends of all the strings together, and fastened them to a huge stone so they could

not escape. The bumpy man watched the old sailor's actions with much curiosity. The birds will be quiet until they've eaten up all the snow, he said. But then they will want to fly away to their homes? Tell me, sir. What will the poor things do when they find they can't fly? It may worry him a little. replied captain bill but they're not going to be heard if they take it easy and behave themselves our friends had all made a good breakfast of the delicious popcorn and now they walked toward the house again

button-bright walked beside trot and held her hand in his because they were old friends and he liked the little girl very much the boy was not so old as trot and small as she was he was half a head shorter in his because they were old friends and he liked the little girl very much the boy was not so old as trot and small as she was he was half a head shorter in height. The most remarkable thing about Buttonbright was that he was always quiet and composed whatever happened, and nothing was ever able to astonish him. Trot liked him because he was not rude and never tried to plague her. Captain Bill liked him because he had found the boy cheerful and brave at all times, and willing to do anything he was asked to do. When they came to the house, Trot sniffed the air and asked, "'Don't I smell perfume?' "'I think you do,' said the bumpy man.

"'You smell violets, "'and that proves there is a breeze springing up from the south. "'All our winds and breezes are perfumed, "'and for that reason we are glad to have them blow in our direction. "'The south breeze always has a violet odor. "'The north breeze has the fragrance of wild roses. the east breeze is perfumed with lilies of the valley, and the west wind with lilac blossoms. So we need no weather vane to tell us which way the wind is blowing.

We only have to smell the perfume, and it informs us at once. Inside the house they found the ark, and Button-bright regarded the strange bird-like creature with curious interest. After examining it closely for a time, he asked, "'Which way does your tail whirl?' "'Either way,' said the ork. Button-bright put out his hand and tried to spin it. "'Don't do that!' exclaimed the ork. "'Why not?' inquired the boy.

"'Because it happens to be my tail, and I reserve the right to world it myself,' explained the ork. "'Let's go out and fly somewhere,' proposed Button-bright. "'I want to see how the tail works.' not now said the ark i appreciate your interest in me which i fully deserve but i only fly when i am going somewhere and if i got started i might not stop that reminds me remarked cap'n bill to ask you friend ark how are we going to get away from here get away exclaimed the bumpy man why don't you stay here you won't find any nicer place than Moe. Have you been anywhere else, sir?"

No, I can't say I have," admitted the mountain ear. Then permit me to say you're no judge," declared Captain Bill. But you haven't answered my question, friend, Ark. How are we to get away from this mountain?" The Ark reflected a while before he answered, "'I might carry one of you the boy or the girl upon my back,' said he. he, "'But three big people are more than I can manage, although I have carried two of you for a short distance. You ought not to have eaten those purple berries so soon.'

"'Perhaps we did make a mistake,' Captain Bill acknowledged. "'Or we might have brought some of those lavender berries with us, instead of so many purple ones,' suggested Trot regretfully. "'Captain Bill made no reply to this statement, which should show. showed he did not fully agree with a little girl, but he fell into deep thought with wrinkled brows, and finally he said, "'If those purple berries would make anything grow bigger, whether it had eaten the lavender ones or not, I could find a way out of our troubles.' They did not understand this speech and looked at the old sailor as if expecting him to

explain what he meant. But just then a chorus of shrill cries rose from outside. "'Hey, hey, let me go, let me go,' the voices seemed to say. "'Why are we insulted in this way? Mountaineer come and help us.' Trot ran to the window and looked out. "'It's the birds you caught, Cap'n,' she said. "'I didn't know they could talk.' "'Oh, yes, all the birds and more educated to talk,' said the bumpy man.

Then he looked at Captain Bill uneasily and added, "'Won't you let the poor things go?' "'I'll see,' replied the sailor, and walked out to where the birds were fluttering and complaining because the strings would not allow them to fly away. "'Listen to me!' he cried, and at once they became still. "'We three people who are strangers in your land want to go to some other country, and we want three of you birds to carry us there?

We know we are asking a great favor, but it's the only way we can think of, except walking, and I'm not much good at that because I have a wooden leg. Besides, trot and button-bright are too small to undertake a long and tiresome journey. Now tell me, which three of you birds will consent to carry us. The birds looked at one another as if greatly astonished. Then one of them replied, "'You must be crazy, old man. Not one of us is big enough to fly with even the smallest of your party.'

"'I'll fix the matter of size,' promised Captain Bill. If three of you will agree to carry us, I'll make you big and strong enough to do it, so it won't worry you a bit.' The birds consider this great. bravely. Living in a magic country, they had no doubt that the strange, one-legged man could do what he said. After a little, one of them asked, "'If you make us big, will we stay big always?'

"'I think so,' replied Captain Bill. They chattered a while among themselves, and then the bird that had first spoken said, "'I'll go for one.' "'So'll I,' said another. and after a pause a third said, I'll go too. Perhaps more would have volunteered, for it seemed that for some reason they all longed to be bigger than they were,

but three were enough for Captain Bill's purpose, and so he promptly released all the others who immediately flew away. The three that remained were cousins and all were of the same brilliant plumage and in size about as large as eagles. When Trot questioned them, she found they were quite young having only abandoned their nests a few weeks before they were strong young birds with clear brave eyes and the little girl decided they were the most beautiful of all the feathered creatures she had ever seen

cap'n bill now took from his pocket the wooden box with the sliding cover and removed the three purple berries which were still in good condition eat these he said and gave one to each of the birds they obeyed finding the fruit very pleasant to taste in a few seconds they began to grow in size and grew so fast the trot feared they would never stop but they finally did stop growing and then they were much larger than the ark and nearly the size of full-grown ostriches cap'n bill was much pleased by this result "'You can carry us now all right,' said he. The birds strutted around with pride, highly pleased with their immense size. "'I don't see, though,' said Trot doubtfully, "'how we're going to ride on their backs without falling off.' "'We're not going to ride on their backs,' answered Captain Bill.

"'I'm going to make swings for us to ride in.' He then asked the bumpy man for some rope, but the man had no rope. He had, however, an old suit of gray clothes, which he gladly presented to Captain Bill, who cut the cloth into strips and twisted it, so that it was almost as strong as rope. With this material he attached to each bird a swing

that dangled below its feet, and Buttonbright made a trial flight in one of them to prove that it was safe and comfortable. When all this had been arranged, one of the birds asked, Where do you wish us to take you?" Why, just follow the ark, said Captain Bill. He will be our leader, and wherever the ark flies you are to fly.

And wherever the ark lands you are to land, is that satisfactory? The birds declared it was quite satisfactory. So Captain Bill took counsel with the ark. "'On our way here,' said that peculiar creature, "'I noticed they brought sandy desert at the left of me, on which was no living thing.' "'Then we'd better keep away from it,' replied the sailor. "'Not so,' insisted the ark.

"'I have found on my travels that the most pleasant countries often lie in the midst of deserts, so i think it would be wise for us to fly over this desert and discover what lies beyond it for in the direction we came from lies the ocean as we well know and beyond here is this strange land of mo which we do not care to explore on one side as we can see from this mountain is a broad expanse of plain and on the other the desert from my part i vote for the desert "'What do you say, Trot?' inquired Captain Bill. "'It's all the same to me,' she replied. No one thought of asking Buttonwright's opinion, so it was decided to fly over the desert. They bade goodbye to the bumpy man and thanked him for his kindness and hospitality.

Then they seated themselves in the swings, one for each bird, and told the ark to start away and they would follow. The whirl of the ark's tail astonished the birds at first, but after he had gone a short distance, they rose in the air, carrying their passengers easily, and flew with strong, regular strokes of their great wings in the wake of their leader. End of Chapter 8. Chapter 9 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libre-Box recording is in the public domain.

CHAPTER IX. THE KINGEM OF Jinksland. Trot rode with more comfort than she had expected, although the swing sways so much, that she had to hold on tight with both hands. Captain Bill's bird followed the ark, and Trot came next, with Button-bright trailing behind her. It was quite an imposing procession, but, Unfortunately, there was no one to see it, for the ark had headed straight for the great sandy desert, and in a few minutes after starting they were flying high over the broad waist where no living thing could exist. The little girl thought this would be a bad place for the birds to lose strength,

or for the cloth ropes to give way, but although she could not help feeling a trifle-nerves and fidgety, she had confidence in the huge, and brilliantly plumaged bird that bore her, as well as in Captain Bill's knowledge of how to twist and fasten a rope so it would hold. That was a remarkably big desert. There was nothing to relieve the monotony of view, and every minute seemed an hour and every hour a day. Disagreable fumes and gases rose from the sands, which would have been deadly to the travelers had they not been so high in the air. air. As it was, Trot was beginning to feel sick when a breath of fresher air filled her nostrils, and on looking ahead she saw a great cloud of pink-tinted mist. Even while she wondered what it could be, the ark plunged boldly into the mist, and the other birds followed. She could see

nothing for a time, nor could the bird which carried her see where the ark had gone, but it kept on flying as steadily as ever, and in a few moments the mist was passed, and the girl saw a most beautiful landscape spread out below her, extending as far as her eye could reach. She saw bits of forest, verdure-clothed hills, fields of waving grain, fountains, rivers, and lakes, and throughout the scene were scattered groups of pretty houses, and a few grand castles and palaces. Overall, this delightful landscape, which from Trots High Perch seemed like a magnificent

painted picture, was a rosy glow, such as we sometimes see in the west at sunset. In this case, however, it was not in the west only, but everywhere. No wonder the ark paused to circle slowly over this lovely country. The other birds followed his action, all eyeing the place with equal delight. Then, as with one accord, the four formed a group, and slowly sailed downward. This brought them to that part of the newly discovered land which bordered on the desert's edge, but it was just as pretty here as anywhere. So the ark and the birds alighted, and the three passengers at once got out of their swelighted,

Oh, Captain Bill, isn't this fine and dandy? exclaimed Trot rapturously. How lucky we were to discover this beautiful country! The country seems rather high-class, I'll admit, Trot," replied the old sailor man, looking around him, but we don't know as yet what its people are like. No one could live in such a country without being happy and good, I'm sure of that, she said earnestly. Don't you think so, Buttonbright?"

I'm not thinking just now," answered the little boy. It tires me to think, and I never seem to gain anything by it. When we see the people who live here we will know what they are like, and no mount thinking will make them any different." "'That's true enough,' said the ork. "'But now I want to make a proposal, while you are getting acquainted with this new country, which looks as if it contains everything to make one happy, I would like to fly along all by myself, and see if I can find my home on the other side of the great desert.

If I do, I will stay there, of course. But if I fail to find Arkland, I will return to you in a week, to see if I can do anything more to assist you." They were sorry to lose their queer companion, but could offer no objection to the plan, so the ark bade them goodbye, and, rising swiftly in the air, he flew over the country and was soon lost to view in the distance. The three birds, which had carried our friends, now begged permission to return by the way they had come to their own homes, saying they were anxious to show their families how big

Big they had become. So Captain Bill and Trot and Button-right all thanked them gratefully for their assistance, and soon the birds began their long flight toward the land of Moe. Being now left to themselves in this strange land, the three comrades selected a pretty pathway and began walking along it. They believed this path would lead them to a splendid castle which they aspired. in the distance, the turrets of which towered far above the tops of the trees which surrounded it.

It did not seem very far away, so they sauntered on slowly, admiring the beautiful ferns and flowers that lined the pathway, and listening to the singing of the birds and the soft chirpings of the grasshoppers. Presently the path wound over a little hill, in a valley that lay beyond the hill was a tiny cottage, surrounded by flower beds and fruit trees. On the shady porch of the cottage they saw, as they approached, a pleasant-faced woman sitting amidst a group of children to whom she was telling stories. The children quickly discovered the strangers and ran toward them with exclamations of

astonishment, so that Trot and her friends became the center of a curious group, all chattering excitedly. cap'n bill's wooden leg seemed to arouse the wonder of the children as they could not understand why he had not two meat legs this attention seemed to please the old sailor who patted the heads of the children kindly and then raising his hat to the woman he inquired can't you tell us madam just what country this is she stared hard at all three of the strangers as she replied briefly "'Jinksland!' "'Oh!' exclaimed Captain Bill with a puzzled look. "'And where is Jinksland, please?' "'In the quadling country,' said she.

"'What?' cried Trot in sudden excitement. "'Do you mean to say this is the quadling country of the land of Oz?' "'To be sure I do,' the woman answered. Every bit of land that is surrounded by the great desert is the land of Oz, as you ought to know as well as I do. But I am sorry to say that Jink's land is separated from the rest of the quadling country by that row of high mountains you see under, which have such steep sides that no one can cross them. So we live here all by ourselves, and are ruled by our own can. instead of by Osma of Oz."

"'I've been to the land of Oz before,' said Buttonbright. "'But I've never been here.' "'Did you ever hear of Jinksland before?' asked Trot. "'No,' said Buttonbright. "'It is on the map of Oz, though,' asserted the woman. "'And it's a fine country, I assure you, if only,' she added and then peered to look around her with a frightened expression. If only—

Here she stopped again, as if not daring to go on with her speech. If only what, ma'am? asked Captain Bill. The woman sent the children into the house. Then she came closer to the strangers and whispered, If only we had a different king, we would be very happy and contented. "'What's the matter with your king?' asked Trot curiously. But the woman seemed frightened to have said so much. She retreated to her porch, merely saying,

"'The king punishes severely any treason on the part of his subjects.' "'What's treason?' asked Buttonbright. "'In this case,' replied Captain Bill. "'Treason seems to consist of knocking the king, but I guess we know his disposition now as well as if the lady had said more. I wonder, said Trot, going up to the woman, if you could spare us something to eat. We haven't had anything but popcorn and lemonade for a long time. Bless your heart!

Of course I can spare you some food, the woman answered. And entering her cottage, she soon returned with a tray loaded with sandwiches, cakes, and cheese. One of the children drew a bucket of clear cold water from his spring, and the three wanderers ate heartily and enjoyed the good things immensely. When Buttonbright could eat no more, he filled the pockets of his jacket with cakes and cheese, and not even the children objected to this. Indeed, they all seemed pleased to see the strangers eat, so Captain Bill decided that no

matter what the king of Jinksland was like, the people would prove friendly and hospitable. "'Whose castle is that yonder, ma'am?' he asked, waving his hand toward the towers that rose above the trees. "'It belongs to his majesty, King Cruel,' she said. "'Oh, indeed, and does he live there?' "'When he is not out hunting with his fierce courtiers and war captains,' she replied. "'Is he hunting now?' Trot inquired. "'I do not know, my dear. "'The less we know about the King's actions, the safer we are.'

"'It was evident the woman did not like to talk about King Krul, "'and so, having finished their meal, "'they said goodbye and continued along the pathway. "'Don't you think we'd better keep away from that King's castle, Captain?' asked Trot. "'Well,' said he, "'King Kruel would find out sooner or later that we are in his country. "'So we may as well face the music now. "'Perhaps he isn't quite so bad as that woman thinks he is.

"'Kings aren't always popular with their people, you know, "'even if they do the best they know how.' "'Ozma is popular,' said Buttonwright. "'Ozma is different from any other ruler from all I've heard. remarked Trot musingly as she walked beside the boy. And after all, we are really in the land of Oz, where Osma rules every king and everybody else. I never heard of anybody getting hurt in her dominions, did you, Buttonbright? Not when she knows about it, he replied.

But those birds landed us in just the wrong place, seems to me. They might have carried us right on over that row of mountains to the Emerald City. "'True enough,' said Cap'n Bill. "'But they didn't, and so we must make the best of Jenksland. Let's try not to be afraid.' "'Oh, I'm not very scared,' said Buttonbright, pausing to look at a pink rabbit that popped its head out of a hole in the field nearby. "'Nor am I,' added Trot.

"'Really, Cap'n, I'm so glad to be anywhere at all in the wonderful Fairyland of Oz, that I think I'm the luckiest girl in all the world. Dorothy lives in the Emerald City, you know, and so does the scarecrow and the tin woodman and Tick-Tock and the Shaggy Man, and all the rest of them that we've heard so much about. Not to mention Asma, who must be the sweetest and loveliest girl in all the world. Take your time, Trot, advised Buttonbright.

You don't have to say it all in one breath, you know. and you haven't mentioned half of the curious people in the emerald city that era emerald city said cap'n bill impressively happens to be on the other side of these mountains that we're told no one is able to cross i don't want to discourage of you trot but we're almost as much separated from your ozma and dorothy as we were when we lived in california there was so much truth in this statement that they all walked on in silence for some time finally they reached the grove of stately trees that boarded the grounds of the king's castle they had gone half-way through it when the sound of sobbing as of someone in bitter distress reached their ears and caused them to halt abruptly end of chapter nine chapter x of the scarecrow of oz by l frank balm this librox recording is in the public domain chapter ten pon the gardener's boy it was button-bright who first discovered lying on his face beneath a broad spreading tree near the pathway a young man whose body shook with the force of his sobs he was dressed in a long brown smock and had sandals on his feet, betokening one in humble life.

His head was bare and showed a shock of brown curly hair. Button-bright looked down on the young man and said, Who cares anyhow? I do, cried the young man, interrupting his sobs to roll over face upward that he might see who had spoken. I care, for my heart is broken. Can't you get another one? asked the little boy.

I don't want another, wailed the young man. By this time Trot and Captain Bill arrived at the spot, and the girl leaned over and said in a sympathetic voice, Tell us your troubles and perhaps we may help you. The youth sat up then and bowed politely. Afterward he got upon his feet, but still kept wringing his hands as he tried to choke down his sobs. Trot thought he was very brave to control such awful agony so well.

"'My name is Pond,' he began. "'I'm the gardener's boy.' "'Then the gardener of the king is your father, I suppose?' said Trot. "'Not my father, but my master,' was the reply. "'I do the work, and the gardener gives the orders. But it was not my fault in the least that the Princess Gloria fell in love with me?" Did she really?" asked the little girl.

I don't see why," remarked Buttonbright, staring at the youth. "'And who may the Princess Gloria be?' inquired Captain Bill. "'She is the niece of King, Krul, who is her guardian. The Princess lives in the castle, and is the loveliest and sweetest maiden in all Jinksland. She is fond of flowers and used to walk in the gardens with her attendants. such times, if I was working at my tasks. I used to cast down my eyes as Gloria passed by me.

But one day I glanced up, and found her gazing at me with a very tender look in her eyes. The next day she dismissed her attendance, and, coming to my side, began to talk with me. She said I had touched her heart as no other young man had ever done. I kissed her hand. Just then the king came around a bend in the walk. He struck me with his fist and kicked me with his foot. Then he seized the arm of the princess and rudely dragged her into the castle.

Wasn't he awful? gasped Trot indignantly. He is a very abrupt king, said Pond. So it was the least I could expect. Up to that time I had not thought of loving Princess Gloria. But realizing it would be impolite not to return her love, I did so. We met at evening now and then, and she told me the king wanted her to marry a rich courtier named Googly-Goo, who is old enough to be glorious father. She has refused Googly-Goo thirty-nine times, but he still persists and has brought

many rich presents to bribe the king. On that account, King Cruel has. commanded his niece to marry the old man. But the princess has assured me time and again that she will wed only me. This morning we happened to meet in the grape arbor, and as I was respectfully saluting the cheek of the princess, two of the king's guard seized me and beat me terribly before the very eyes of Gloria, whom the king himself held back so she could not interfere.

why this king must be a monster cried trot he is far worse than that said pawn mournfully but see here interrupted cap'n bill who had listened carefully to pon this king may not be so much to blame after all kings are proud folks because they're so high and mighty and it isn't reasonable for a royal princess to marry a common gardener's boy "'It isn't right,' declared Buttonbright. "'A princess should marry a prince.' "'I'm not a common gardener's boy,' protested upon. "'If I had my rights I would be the king instead of cruel. "'As it is, I'm a prince, and as royal as any man in Jinksland.' "'How does that come?' asked Captain Bill.

"'My father used to be the king, and cruel was his prime minister. but one day, while out-hunting, King Fierce, that was my father's name, had a quarrel with cruel and tapped him gently on the nose with the knuckles of his closed hand. This so provoked the wicked cruel that he tripped my father backward so that he fell into a deep pond. At once cruel threw in a mass of heavy stones, which so weighed down my poor father that his his body could not rise again to the surface. It is impossible to kill anyone in this land, as perhaps you know. But when my father was pressed down into the mud at the bottom of the deep pool and the stones

held him so he could never escape, he was of no more use to himself or the world than if he had died. Knowing this cruel proclaimed himself king, taking possession of the royal castle, and driving all my father's people out. I was a small boy then, but when I grew up I became a gardener. I have served King Cruel without his knowing that I am the son of the same King fierce whom he so cruelly made away with. My, but that's a terribly exciting story, said Trot, drawing a long breath. But tell us, Pond, who was glorious father?

Oh, he was the king before my father, replied Pond. Father was Prime Minister for King Kind, who was glorious father. She was only a baby when King Kind fell into the Great Gulf that lies just this side of the mountains, the same mountains that separate Jinksland from the rest of the land of Oz. It is said that the Great Gulf has no bottom, but however that may be King Kind has never been seen again, and my father became king in his place. "'Seems to me,' said Trot, "'that if Gloria had her rights, she would be queen of Jinksland.'

"'Well, her father was a king,' admitted Pond. "'And so was my father. So we are of equal rank. Although she's a great lady, and I'm a humble gardener's boy, I can't see why we should not marry if we want to, except that King Cruel won't let us. It's a sort of mixed-up mess taken altogether,' remarked Captain Bill. But we are on our way to visit King Cruel, and if we get a chance, young man, we'll put in a good word for you. Do, please, begged Pond. Was it the flogging you got that broke your heart? inquired Button-bright.

Why, it helped to break it, of course. said Pond. "'I'd get it fixed up if I were you,' advised the boy, tossing a pebble at a chipmunk in a tree. You ought to give Gloria just as good a heart as she gives you.' "'That's common sense,' agreed Captain Bill. So they left the gardener's boy standing beside the path and resumed their journey toward the castle.

End of Chapter X. Chapter 11 of the Scarecrow of Oz. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 11 The Wicked King and Googly Goo When our friends approached the great doorway of the castle, they found it guarded by several soldiers, dressed in splendid uniforms. They were armed with swords and lances. Captain Bill walked straight up to them and asked,

Does the king happen to be at home? "'His magnificent and glorious majesty, King, Cruel, is at present inhabiting his royal castle?' "'Was the stiff reply.' "'Then I guess we'll go in and say how'd you do,' continued Captain Bill, attempting to enter the doorway. But a soldier barred his way with a lance. "'Who are you? What are your names, and where do you come from?' demanded the soldier. "'You wouldn't know if we told you,' returned the sailor.

seen as we're strangers in a strange land. Oh, if you are strangers, you will be permitted to enter, said the soldier, lowering his lance. His majesty is very fond of strangers. How many strangers come here? asked Trot. You are the first that ever came to our country, said the man. But his majesty has often said that if strangers ever arrived in Jink's land, he would see that they had a very exciting time.

Captain Bill scratched his chin thoughtfully. He wasn't very favorably impressed by this last remark, but he decided that as there was no way to escape from Jinksland, it would be wise to confront the king boldly and try to win his favor. So they entered the castle escorted by one of the soldiers. It was certainly a fine castle, with many large rooms, all beautifully furnished. The passages were winding and handsomely decorated,

and after following several of these the soldier led them into an open court that occupied the very center of the huge building. It was surrounded on every side by high, turreted wall, and contained beds of flowers, fountains, and walks of many colored marbles, which were matched together in quaint designs. In an open space near the middle of the court they saw a group of courtiers and their ladies, who surrounded a lean man who wore upon his head a jeweled crown. His face was hard and sullen, and through the slits of his half-closed eyelids the

eyes glowed like coals of fire. He was dressed in brilliant satins and velvets, and was seated in a golden throne-chair. personage was king cruel, and as soon as Captain Bill saw him, the old sailor knew it once that he was not going to light the king of Jinksland. "'Hello, who's here?' said his majesty with a deep scowl. "'Strangers, sire,' answered the soldier, bowing so low, that his forehead touched the marble tiles. "'Strangers, eh?

well well what an unexpected visit advance strangers and give an account of yourselves the king's voice was as harsh as his features trot shuddered a little but cap'n bill calmly replied there ain't much for us to say scept as we've arrived to look over your country and see how we like it judging from the way you speak you don't know who we are or you'd be jumping up to shake hands and offer us seats kings usually treat us pretty well in the great big outside world where we come from but in this little kingdom which don't amount to much anyhow folks don't seem to got much culture the king listened with amazement to this bold speech first with a frown and then gazing at the two children and the old sailor with evident curiosity the courtiers were dumb with fear for no one had ever dared speak in such a manner to their self-willed cruel king before his majesty however was somewhat frightened for cruel people are always cowards and he feared these mysterious strangers might possess magic powers that would destroy him unless he treated them well so he commanded his people to give the new arrivals seats and they obeyed his people to give the new arrivals seats and they obeyed made with trembling haste. After being seated, Captain Bill lighted his pipe and began puffing smoke from it, a sight

so strange to them that it filled them all with wonder. Presently the King asked, How did you penetrate to this hidden country? Did you cross the desert or the mountains? Desert, answered Captain Bill, as if the task were too easy to be worth talking about. indeed no one has ever been able to do that before said the king well it's easy enough if you know how asserted cap'n bill so carelessly that it greatly impressed his hearers the king shifted in his throne uneasily he was more afraid of these strangers than before do you intend to stay long in jinx land was his next anxious question depends on how we like it said cap'n bill just now i might suggest to your majesty to order some rooms got ready for us in your dinky little castle here and a royal banquet with some fried onions and pickle tripe would set easy on our stomachs and make us a bit happier than we are now your wishes shall be attended to said king cruel but his eyes flashed from between their slits in a wicked way that made

Trot hoped the food wouldn't be poisoned. At the king's command, several of his attendants hastened away to give the proper orders to the castle servants, and no sooner were they gone than a skinny old man entered the courtyard and bowed before the king. This disagreeable person was dressed in rich velvets with many furbelows and laces. He was covered with golden chains, finally wrought rings and jeweled ornaments. He walked with mincing steps, and glared at all the courtiers as if he considered himself far superior to any or all of them. "'Well, well, your majesty, what news, what news?' he demanded in a shrill, cracked voice.

The king gave him a surly look. "'No news, Lord Googlygo, go, except that strangers have arrived,' he said. Googly-goo cast a contemptuous glance at Captain Bill and a disdainful one at trot and button-bright. Then he said, "'Strangers do not interest me, your majesty. But the Princess Gloria is very interesting, very interesting indeed. What does she say, sire, will she marry me?' "'Ask her,' retorted the king.

"'I have many times. and every time she has refused." "'Well?' said the king, harshly. "'Well?' said googly-go in a jaunty tone. "'A bird that can sing and won't sing must be made to sing.' "'Hugh!' sneered the king. "'That's easy with a bird. But a girl is harder to manage.'

"'Still,' persisted googly-goo. We must overcome difficulties. The chief trouble is that Gloria fancies she loves that miserable gardener's boy, Pond. Suppose we throw Pond into the Great Gulf, Your Majesty. It wouldn't do any good, returned the king. She would still love him. Too bad, too bad, sighed googly-goo.

I have laid aside more than a good. a bushel of precious gems, each worth a king's ransom, to present to your majesty on the day I wed Gloria." The king's eyes sparkled, for he loved wealth up of everything, but the next moment he frowned deeply again. "'It won't help us to kill Pond,' he muttered. What we must do is kill glorious love for Pond. That is better.

if you can find a way to do it agreed googly-coo everything would come right if you could kill glorious love for that gardeness boy really sire now that i come to think of it there must be fully a bushel and a half of those jewels just then a messenger entered the court to say that the banquet was prepared for the strangers so cap'n bill trot and button-bright entered the castle and were taken to a room where a fine feast was spread upon the table. "'I don't like that Lord googly-goo,' remarked Trot as she was busily eating. "'All right,' said Captain Bill. "'But from the talk we heard I guess the gardener's boy won't get the princess.' "'Perhaps not,' returned the girl. But I hope old googly doesn't get her either.

"'The king means to sell her for all those jewels,' observed Buttonbright. his mouth full of cake and jam. Poor princess sighed, Trot. I'm sorry for her, although I've never seen her. But if she says no to googly-goo and means it, what can they do? Don't let us worry about a strange princess, advised Captain Bill. I'm a notion we're not too safe ourselves with this cruel king. The two children felt the same way, and all three were rather solemn,

during the remainder of the meal. When they had eaten, the servants escorted them to their rooms. Captain Bill's room was way to one end of the castle, very high up, and Trot's room was at the opposite end rather low down. As for Button-bright, they placed him in the middle so that all were as far apart as they could possibly be. They didn't like this arrangement very well, but all the rooms were handsomely furnished and being guests of the king, they dared not complain.

After the strangers had left the courtyard, the king and googly-goo had a long talk together, and the king said, I cannot force Gloria to marry you just now, because those strangers may interfere. I suspect that the wooden-legged man possesses great magical powers, or he would never have been able to carry himself and those children across the deadly desert. i don't like him he looks dangerous answered googlygoo but perhaps you are mistaken about his being a wizard why don't you test his powers oh asked the king send for the wicked witch she will tell you in a moment whether that wooden-legged person is a common man or a magician ha that's a good idea cried the king why didn't i think of a moment whether that wouldn't think of a man is a man or a magician ha that's a good idea cried the king why didn't i think of the wicked witch before but the woman demands rich rewards for her services never mind i will pay her promised the wealthy googly-go

So a servant was dispatched to summon the wicked witch, who lived but a few leagues from King Krul's castle. While they awaited her, the withered old courtier proposed that they pay a visit to Princess Gloria and see if she was not now in a more complacent mood. So the two started away together and searched the castle over without finding Gloria. At last Googly Goose suggested she might be in the rear. garden, which was a large park filled with bushes and trees and surrounded by a high wall. And what was their anger, when they turned a corner of the path, to find in a quiet nook,

the beautiful princess, and kneeling before her, pon the gardener's son. With a roar of rage the king dashed forward, but Pond had scaled the wall by means of a ladder, which still stood in its place, and when he saw the king coming, he ran off the ladder and made good his escape. But this left Gloria confronted by her angry guardian the king, and by old googly-goo, who was trembling with a fury he could not express in words. Seizing the princess by her arm, the king dragged her back to the castle, pushing her into a room on the lower floor, he locked the door upon the unhappy girl, and at that moment the

arrival of the wicked witch was announced. Hearing this the king smiled as a tiger smiles, showing his teeth, and googly-goo smiled as a serpent smiles, for he had no teeth except a couple of fangs. And having frightened each other with these smiles, the two dreadful men went away. way to the Royal Council Chamber to meet the Wicked Witch. End of Chapter 11. Chapter 12 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libravox recording is in the public domain.

Chapter 12. The wooden-legged grasshopper. Now, it so happened that Trot, from the window of her room, had witnessed the meeting of the lovers in the house. garden, and had seen the king come and drag Gloria away. The little girl's heart went out in sympathy for the poor princess, who seemed to her to be one of the sweetest and loveliest young ladies she had ever seen, so she crept along the passages, and from a hidden niche saw Gloria locked in her room.

The key was still in the lock, so when the king had gone away, followed by googly-gooos, Trot stole up to the door, turned the key, and entered. The princess lay prone upon a couch, sobbing bitterly. Trot went up to her and smoothed her hair and tried to comfort her. Don't cry, she said. I've unlocked the door so you can go away any time you want to. It isn't that, sobbed the princess. I am unhappy because they will not let me love Pond, the gardener's

boy." "'Well, never mind. Pond isn't any great shakes, anyhow, seems to me,' said Trot soothingly. "'There are lots of other people you can love.' Gloria rolled over on the couch, and looked at the little girl reproachfully. "'Pon has won my heart, and I can't help loving him,' she explained. Then, with sudden indignation she added, "'but I'll never love googly-goo. never, as long as I live."

"'I should say not,' replied Trot. Pond may not be much good, but old googly is very, very bad. Hunt around, and I'm sure you'll find someone worth your love. You're very pretty, you know, and almost everyone ought to love you.' "'You don't understand, my dear,' said Gloria, as she wiped the tears from her eyes, with a dainty lace handkerchief boarded with pearls. When you are older, you will realize that a young lady cannot decide whom she will love, or choose the most worthy.

Her heart alone decides for her, and whomesoever her heart selects, she must love, whether he amounts to much or not. Trot was a little puzzled by this speech, which seemed to her unreasonable, but she made no reply, and presently Gloria's grief softened, and she began to question the little girl about herself and her adventures. Trot told her how they had happened to come to Jinksland, all about Cap'n Bill and the Ark and Pessam and the Bumpy Man. While they were thus conversing together, getting more and more friendly as they became better acquainted, in the council chamber the king and googly-goo, were talking with the wicket.

This evil creature was old and ugly. She had lost one eye and wore a black patch over it, so the people of Jinksland had named her Blinky. Of course, witches are forbidden to exist in the land of Oz, but Jinksland was so far removed from the center of Osba's dominions, and so absolutely cut off from it by the steep mountains and the bottomless gulf, that the laws of were not obeyed very well in that country. So there were several witches in Jinksland, who were the terror of the people, but King cruel favored them and permitted them to exercise their evil sorcery. Blinky was the leader of all the other witches, and therefore the most hated and feared.

The king used her witchcraft at times to assist him in carrying out his cruelties and revenge. but he was always obliged to pay blinky large sums of money or heaps of precious jewels before she would undertake an enchantment this made him hate the old woman almost as much as his subjects did but to-day lord googly-goo had agreed to pay the witch's price so the king greeted her with gracious favor can you destroy the love of princess gloria for the gardener's boy inquired his majesty The wicked witch thought about it before she replied. That's a hard question to answer. I can do lots of clever magic, but love is a stubborn thing to conquer. When you think you've killed it,

it's liable to bob up again as strong as ever. I believe love and cats have nine lives. In other words, killing love is a hard job, even for a skillful witch. But I believe. I can do something that will answer your purpose just as well." What is it?" asked the king. "'I can freeze the girl's heart.

I've got a special incantation for that, and when Gloria's heart is thoroughly frozen, she can no longer love pawn. Just a thing!' exclaimed googly-goo, and the king was likewise much pleased. They bargained a long time as to the price, but finally the old courtier agreed to pay the wicked witch's demands. It was arranged that they should take Gloria to Blinky's house the next day to have her heart

frozen. Then King Cruel mentioned to the old hag the strangers who had that day arrived in Jenksland and said to her, i think the two children the boy and the girl are unable to harm me but i have a suspicion that the wooden-legged man is a powerful wizard the witch's face wore a troubled look when she heard this if you are right she said this wizard might spoil my incantation and interfere with me in other ways so it will be best for me to meet this stranger at once and me and match my magic against his to decide which is the stronger. All right, said the king, come with me and I will lead you to the man's room. Googly Goo did not accompany them as he was obliged to go home to get the money in jewels.

He had promised to pay old Blinky, so the other two climbed several flights of stairs and went through many passages until they came to the room occupied by Cap'n Bill. the sailor-man finding his bed soft and inviting and being tired with the adventures he had experienced had decided to take a nap when the wicked witch and the king softly opened his door and entered captain bill was snoring with such vigor that he did not hear them at all blencky approached the bed and with her one eye anxiously stared at the sleeping stranger "'Ah,' she said in a soft whisper, "'I believe you are right, King, Cruel. The man looks to me like a very powerful wizard. But by luck I have caught him asleep.

So I shall transform him before he wakes up, giving him such a form that he will be unable to oppose me.' "'Careful,' cautioned the king, also speaking low, If he discovers what you are doing he may destroy you, and that would annoy me because I need you to attend to Gloria." But the wicked witch realized as well as he did that she must be careful. She carried over her arm a black bag, from which she drew several packets carefully wrapped in paper. Three of these she selected, replacing the others in the bag. Two of the packets she mixed together, and then she cautiously opened the third.

Better stand back, your majesty, she advised, for if this powder falls on you, you might be transformed yourself. The king hastily retreated to the end of the room. As Blinky mixed the third powder with the others, she waved her hands over it, mumbled a few words and then backed away as quickly as she could. Captain Bill was slumbering peacefully, all unconscious of what was going on. Poof! A great cloud of smoke rolled over the bed and completely hit him from view.

When the smoke rolled away, both Blinky and the king saw that the body of the stranger had quite disappeared, while in its place, crouching in the middle of the middle of the Crouching in the middle of the bed was a little gray grasshopper. One curious thing about this grasshopper was that the last joint of its left leg was made of wood. Another curious thing, considering it was a grasshopper, was that it began talking, crying out in a tiny but sharp voice. "'Here, you people, what do you mean by treating me so? Put me back where I belong at once, or you'll be sorry.' the cruel king turned pale at hearing the grasshopper's threats but the wicked witch merely laughed in derision then she raised her stick and aimed a vicious blow at the grasshopper but before the stick struck the bed the tiny hopper made a marvelous jump marvelous indeed when we consider that it had a wooden leg it rose in the air and sailed across the room and passed right through the open window where it disappeared from their view

good shouted the king we are well rid of this desperate wizard and then they both laughed heartily at the success of the incantation and went away to complete their horrid plans after trot had visited a time with princess gloria a little girl went to button-bright's room but did not find him there then she went to cap'n bill's room but he was not there because the witch and the king had been there before her so she made her way downstairs and questioned the servants they said they had seen the little boy go out into the garden some time ago but the old man with the wooden leg they had not seen at all therefore trot not knowing what else to do rambled through the great gardens seeking for button-bright or cap'n bill and not finding either of them this part of the garden which lay before the castle was not walled in but extended to the roadway and the path was open to the edge of the forest so after two hours of vain search for her friends the little girl returned to the castle But at the doorway a soldier stopped her. "'I live here,' said Trot. "'So it's all right to let me in.

The king has given me a room.' "'Well, he has taken it back again,' was the soldier's reply. "'His Majesty's orders are to turn you away if you attempt to enter. I am also ordered to forbid the boy your companion to again enter the king's castle.' "'How about Captain Bill?' she inquired. "'Why, it seems he has mysteriously disappeared,' replied the soldier, shaking his head ominously. "'Where he has gone to, I can't make out. But I can assure you he is no longer in this castle. I'm sorry, little girl, to disappoint you. Don't blame me. I must obey my master's orders.'

Now, all her life, Trot had been accustomed to depend on Cap' and Bill. So when this good friend was suddenly taken from her. She felt very miserable and forlorn, indeed. She was brave enough not to cry before the soldier, or even to let him see her grief and anxiety. But after she was turned away from the castle, she sought a quiet bench in the garden, and for a time sobbed as if her heart would break. It was Buttonbright who found her at last, just as the sun had set, and the shades of evening were falling. He also had been turned away from the King's Castle when he tried to enter it, and in the park he came across Trot. "'Never mind,' said the boy. "'We can find a place to sleep.'

"'I want Captain Bill,' will the girl. "'Well, so do I,' was the reply, but we haven't got him. "'Where do you suppose he is, Trot?' "'I don't suppose anything. He's gone, and that's all I know about it.' Buttonbright sat on the bench beside her and thrust his hands in the pockets of his knickerbockers. Then he reflected somewhat gravely for him. "'Captain Bill isn't around here,' he said, letting his eyes wander over the dim garden. So we must go somewhere else if we want to find him.

Besides, it's fast getting dark, and if we want to find a place to sleep, we must get busy while we can see where to go.' He rose from the bench as he said this, and Trot also jumped up, drying her eyes upon her apron. Then she walked beside him out of the grounds of the King's Castle. They did not go by the main path, but passed through an opening in a hedge, and found themselves in a small but well-worn roadway. Following this for some distance along a winding way, they came upon no house or building that would afford them refuge for the night. It became so dark that they could scarcely see their way,

and finally Trot stopped and suggested that they camp under a tree. All right, said Buttonbright. I've often bound that leaves make a good warm blanket. But look here, Trot. Isn't that a light flashing over yonder? It certainly is Button-bright. Let's go over and see if it's a house. Whoever lives there couldn't treat us worse.

than the king did. To reach the light, they had to leave the road, so they stumbled over hillocks and brushwood, hand in hand, keeping the tiny speck of light always in sight. They were rather forlorn little waifs, outcast in a strange country, and forsaken by their only friend and guardian, Cap'n Bill. So they were very glad when finally they reached a small cottage and, looking in through its one window, saw Pond, the gardener's boy, sitting by a fire of twigs. As Trot opened the door and walked boldly in, Pond sprang up to greet them.

They told him of Captain Bill's disappearance and how they had been turned out of the king's castle. As they finished the story, Pond shook his head sadly. King Cruel is plotting mischief, I fear, said he, for today he sent for old Blinky, the wicked witch, and with my own eyes I saw her come from the castle and hobble away toward her hut. She had been with the king and googly-goo, and I was afraid they were going to work some enchantment on Gloria, so she would no longer love me.

But perhaps the witch was only called to the castle to enchant your friend, Captain Bill. Can she do that?" asked Trot, horrified by the suggestion. I suppose so. for old Blinky can do a lot of wicked magical things. What sort of enchantment could she put on Captain Bill? I don't know, but he has disappeared. So I'm pretty certain she has done something dreadful to him, but don't worry.

If it has happened it can't be helped. And if it hasn't happened, we may be able to find him in the morning. With this, Pond went to the cupboard and brought food for them. Trot was far too worried to eat. But Button Bright made a good supper from the simple food, and then lay down before the fire and went to sleep. The little girl and the gardener's boy, however, sat for a long time, staring into the fire, busy with their thoughts.

But at last Trot, too, became sleepy, and Pond gently covered her with the one blanket he possessed. Then he threw bore wood on the fire and laid himself down before it next to Button Bright. Soon, all three were fast asleep. They were in a good deal of trouble, but they were young and sleep was good to them, because for a time it made them forget. End of Chapter 12 Chapter 13 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libravox recording is in the public domain.

Chapter 13. Glenda the Good and Good and... the Scarecrow of Oz. That country south of the Emerald City in the land of Oz is known as the quadling country, and in the very southernmost part of it stands a splendid palace in which lives Glinda the good. Glinda is the royal sorceress of Oz. She has wonderful magical powers, and uses them only to benefit the subjects of Osma's kingdom.

Even the famous Wizard of Oz pays tribute to her, for Glenda taught him all the real magic he knows, and she is his superior in all sorts of sorcery. Everyone loves Glenda, from the dainty and exquisite ruler, Osma, down to the humblest inhabitant of Oz, for she is always kindly and helpful and willing to listen to their troubles, however busy she may be. No one knows her age, but all can see how beautiful and stately she is. Her hair is like red gold and finer than the finest silken strands. Her eyes are blue as the sky, and always frank and smiling.

Her cheeks are the envy of peach blows, and her mouth is enticing as a rosebud. Glinda is tall, and wears splendid gowns that trail behind her as she walks. She wears no jewels, for her beauty would shame them. For attendance, Glinda has half a hundred of the loveliest girls in Oz. They are gathered from all over Oz, from among the winkies, the munchkins, the Gillikins, and the quadlings, as well as from Osma's magnificent Emerald City, and it is considered a great favor to be allowed to serve the royal sorceress. Among the many wonderful things in Glinda's palace is the great book of records. In this book is inscribed everything that takes place in all the world just the instant it happens,

so that by referring to its pages Glenda knows what is taking place far and near in every country that exists. In this way she learns when and where she can help any in distress or danger, and although her duties are confined to assisting those who inhabit the land of Oz, she is always interested in what takes place in the unprotected outside world. So it was that on a certain evening Glinda sat in her library, surrounded by a bevy of her maids, who were engaged in spinning, weaving, and embroidery, when an attendant announced the arrival at the palace of the scarecrow.

This personage was one of the most famous and popular in all the land of Oz. His body was merely a suit of munchkin clothes stuffed with straw, but his head was a round sack filled with bran, with which the Wizard of Oz had mixed some magic brains of a very superior sort. The eyes, nose, and mouth of the scarecrow were painted upon the front of the sack, as were his ears, and since this quaint being had been endowed with life, the expression on his face was very interesting, if somewhat comical. The scarecrow was good all through, even to his brains, and while he was naturally awkward in his movements and lacked the neat symmetry of other people,

his disposition was so kind and considerate, and he was so obliging and honest, that all who knew him loved him, and there were few people in Oz who had not met our scarecrow and made his acquaintance. He lived part of the time in Osma's palace at the Emerald City, part of the time in his own corn-cobb castle in the Winky country, and part of the time he traveled over all Oz, visiting with the people and playing with the children whom he dearly loved. It was on one of his wandering journeys that the scarecrow had arrived at Glenda's palace, and the sorceress at once made him welcome. As he sat beside her, talking of his adventures, he asked,

What's new in the way of news? Glenda opened her great book of records, and read some of the last pages. Here is an item quite curious and interesting, she announced an accent of surprise in her voice. Three people from the big outside world have arrived in Jinksland. Where is Jinksland? inquired the scarecrow. Very near here, a little to the east of us, she said. In fact, Jinksland is a little slice taken off the quadling country, but separated from it by a range of high mountains,

at the foot of which lies a wide, deep gulf that is supposed to be impassable. then jinx land is really a part of the land of oz said he yes returned glinda but oz people know nothing of it except what is recorded here in my book what does the book say about it asked scarecrow it is ruled by a wicked man called king cruel although he has no right to the title most of the people are good but they are very timid and live in constant fear of their fierce rulers There are several wicked witches who keep the inhabitants of Jinks land in a state of terror. Do those witches have any magical powers? inquired the scarecrow. Yes. They seem to understand witchcraft in its most evil form, for one of them has just transformed a respectable and honest old sailor, one of the strangers who arrive there, into a grasshopper.

This same witch, Blinky by name, is also planning to freeze the heart of a beautiful Jinksland girl named Princess Gloria. Why, that's a dreadful thing to do, exclaimed the scarecrow. Glinda's face was very grave. She read in her book how Trot and Buttonbright were turned out of the king's castle and how they found refuge in the hut of Pond the gardener's boy. i'm afraid those helpless earth people will endure much suffering in jinx land even if the wicked king and the witches permit them to live said the good sorceress thoughtfully i wish i might help them can i do anything asked the scarecrow anxiously if so tell me what to do and i'll do it for a few moments glinda did not reply but sat musing over the records then she said

I am going to send you to Jinksland to protect Trot and Buttonbright and Captain Bill. All right, answer the scarecrow in a cheerful voice. I know Buttonbright already, for he has been in the land of Oz before. You remember he went away from the land of Oz in one of the wizard's big bubbles. Yes, said Glinda, I remember that. Then she carefully instructed the scarecrow what to do. and gave him certain magical things which he placed in the pockets of his ragged munchkin coat. As you have no need to sleep, said she, you may as well start at once.

The night is the same as day to me, he replied, except that I cannot see my way so well in the dark. I will furnish a light to guide you, promised the sorceress. So the scarecrow bade her goodbye, and at once saw her. started on his journey. By morning he had reached the mountains that separated the quadling country from Jinksland. The sides of these mountains were too steep to climb, but the scarecrow took a small rope from his pocket and tossed one end upward into the air. The rope unwound itself for hundreds of feet, until it caught upon a peak of rock at the very

top of the mountain. It was a magic rope, furnished him by Glenda. The scarecrow climbed the rope, and after pulling it up, let it down on the other side of the mountain range. When he descended the rope on this side, he found himself in Jinksland, but at his feet yawned the great gulf, which must be crossed before he could proceed any farther. The scarecrow knelt down and examined the ground carefully, and in a moment he discovered a fuzzy, brown spider that had rolled itself into a ball.

So he took two tiny pills from his pocket and laid them beside the spider, which unrolled itself and quickly ate up the pills. Then the scarecrow said in a voice of command, Spin! And the spider obeyed instantly. In a few moments the little creature had spun. two slender but strong strands that reached way across the gulf, one being five or six feet above the other. When these were completed, the scarecrow started across the tiny bridge,

walking upon one strand as a person walks upon a rope, and holding to the upper strand with his hands to prevent him from losing his balance and toppling over into the gulf. The tiny threads held him safely, thanks to the strength-gift. given them by the magic pills. Presently, he was safe across and standing on the plains of Jinksland. Far away he could see the towers of the King's Castle, and toward this he at once began to walk. End of Chapter 13 of the Scarecrow-O-Baz by L. Frank Baum. This Labor Vox recording is in the public domain.

Chapter 14 The Frozen Heart In the hut of Pond, the gardener's boy. Button Bright was the first to awaken in the morning. Leaving his companions still asleep, he went out into the fresh morning air and saw some blackberries growing on bushes in a field not far away. Going to the bushes he found the berries ripe and sweet, so he began eating them. more bushes were scattered over the fields so the boy wandered on from bush to bush without paying any heed to where he was wondering then a butterfly fluttered by he gave chase to it and followed it a long way when he finally paused to look around him button-bright could see no sign of pond's house nor had he the slightest idea in which direction it lay

well i'm lost again he remarked to himself but never mind i've been lost lots of times someone is sure to find me trot was a little worried about button-bright when she awoke and found him gone knowing how careless he was she believed that he had strayed away but felt that he would come back in time because he had a habit of not staying lost pawn got the little girl some food for her breakfast and then together they went out of the hut and stood in the sunshine pond's house was some distance off the road but they could see it from where they stood and both gave a start of surprise when they discovered two soldiers walking along the roadway and escorting princess gloria between them the poor girl had her hands bound together to prevent her from struggling and the soldiers rudely dragged her forward when her steps seemed to lag. Behind this group came King Cruel, wearing his jeweled crown and swinging in his hand a slender golden staff with a ball of cluster gems at one end. "'Where are they going?' asked Trot. "'To the house of the wicked witch I fear,' Pond replied.

"'Come, let us follow them, for I am sure they are you. intend to harm, my dear Gloria. Won't they see us? she asked timidly. We won't let them. I know a short cut through the trees to Blinky's house, said he. So they hurried away through the trees and reached the house of the witch ahead of the king and his soldiers. Hiding themselves in the shrubbery, they watched the approach of poor Gloria and her escort, all of whom passed so near to them that Pond could have put out a hand and touched his sweetheart had he dared to.

Blinky's house had eight sides, with a door and a window in each side. Smoke was coming out of the chimney, and as the guards brought Gloria to one of the doors, it was opened by the old witch in person. She chuckled with evil glee and rubbed her skinny hands together to show the delight with which she greeted her victim, for Blinky was pleased to be able to perform her wicked rights on one so fair and sweet as the princess. Gloria struggled to resist when they bade her enter the house, so the soldiers forced her through the doorway, and even the king gave her a shove as he followed close behind.

Pond was so incensed at the cruelty shown Gloria, that he forgot all caution and rushed forward to enter the house also, but one of the soldiers prevented him, pushing the gardener's boy away with violence and slamming the door in his face. "'Never mind,' said Trot soothingly as Pond rose from where he had fallen. You couldn't do much to help the poor princess if you were inside. How unfortunate it is that you are in love with her!' "'True,' he answered sadly. "'It is indeed my misfortune.'

If I did not love her it would be none of my business what the king did to his niece, Gloria, but the unlucky circumstance of my loving her makes it my duty to defend her. I don't see how you can, duty or no duty, observed Trot. No, I am powerless, for they are stronger than I, but we might peek in through the window and see what they were doing. Trot was somewhat curious, too, so they crept up to one of the windows and looked in, and it so happened that those inside the witch's house were so busy they did not notice that Pan and Trot were watching them.

Gloria had been tied to a stout post in the center of the room, and the king was giving the wicked witch a quantity of money and jewels which Googly Goo had provided in payment. When this had been done, the king said to her, "'Are you perfectly sure you can freeze this maiden's heart, so that she will no longer love that low-gardener's boy?' "'Sure is witchcraft, your majesty,' the creature replied. "'Then get to work,' said the king. "'There may be some unpleasant features about the ceremony that would annoy me,

so I'll bid you good day and leave you to carry out our contract.' One word, however, if you fail, I shall burn you at the stake. Then he beckoned to his soldiers to follow him, and, throwing wide the door of the house, walked out. This action was so sudden that King Cruel almost caught Trot and Pond eavesdropping, but they managed to run around the house before he saw them. Away he marched up the road, followed by his men. men heartlessly leaving Gloria to the mercies of old Blinky.

When they again crept up to the window, Trot and Pond saw Blinky gloating over her victim. Although nearly fainting from fear, the proud princess gazed with haughty defiance into the face of the wicked creature, but she was bound so tightly to the post that she could do no more to express her loathing. Pretty soon Blinky went to a kettle that was swinging by a chain over the fire, and tossed into it several magical compounds. The kettle gave three flashes, and at every flash another witch appeared in the room. These hags were very ugly, but when one-eyed Blinky whispered her orders to them, they grinned

with joy as they began dancing around Gloria. First one and then another cast something into the kettle, when, to the astonishment of the watchers at the window, all three of the old women were instantly transformed into maidens of exquisite beauty, dressed in the daintiest costumes imaginable. Only their eyes could not be disguised, and an evil glare still shone in their depths. But if the eyes were cast down or hidden, one could not help but admire these beautiful creatures, even with the knowledge that they were mere illusions of witchcraft. Trot certainly admired them, for she had never seen anything so dainty and bewitching, but

her attention was quickly drawn to their deeds instead of their persons, and then horror replaced admiration. Into the kettle, old Blinky poured another mess from a big brass bottle that she took from a chest, and this made the kettle begin to bubble and smoke violently. One by one the beautiful witches approached to stir the contents of the kettle, and to mutter a magic charm. Their movements were graceful and rhythmic, and the wicked witch who had called them to her aid Watched them with an evil grin upon her wrinkled face.

Finally the incantation was complete. The kettle seized bubbling, and together the witches lifted it from the fire. Then Blinky brought a wooden ladle and filled it from the contents of the kettle. Going with the spoon to Princess Gloria, she cried, "'Love no more! Magic art now will freeze your mortal heart." With this she dashed the contents of the ladle full upon glorious breast. Trot saw the body of the princess become transparent, so that her beating heart showed plainly.

But now the heart turned from a vivid red to gray, and then to white. A layer of frost formed about it, and tiny icicles clung to its surface. Then slowly the body of the girl became visible again, and the heart was hidden from view. Gloria seemed to have fainted, but now she recovered, and, opening her beautiful eyes, stared coldly and without emotion at the group of witches confronting her. Blinky and the others knew by that one cold look that their charm had been successful. They burst into a chorus of wild laughter, and the three beautiful ones began dancing again,

while Blinky unbound the princess and set her free. Trot rubbed her eyes to prove that she was wide awake and seeing clearly, for her astonishment was great when the three lovely maidens turned into ugly, crooked hags again, leaning on broomsticks in canes. They jeered at Gloria. But the princess regarded them with cold disdain. Being now free, she walked to a door, opened it, and passed out, and the witches let her go.

Trot and Pond had been so intent upon this scene that in their eagerness they had pressed quite hard against the window. Just as Gloria went out of the house, the window sash broke loose from its fastenings, and fell with a crash into the room. The witches uttered a chorus of screams, and then, seeing that their magical incantation had been observed, they rushed for the open window with uplifted broomsticks and canes. But Pond was off like the wind, and Trot followed at his heels. Fear lent them strength to run, to leap across stitches, to speed up the hills, and to vault

the low fences as a deer would. The band of witches had dashed through the window in pursuit, but Blinky was so old, and the others so crooked and awkward that they soon realized they would be unable to overtake the fugitives. So the three who had been summoned by the wicked witch put their canes or broomsticks between their legs and flew away through the air, quickly disappearing against the blue sky. Blinky, however, was so enraged at Pond and Trot. that she hobbled on in the direction they had taken, fully determined to catch them in time, and to punish them terribly for spying upon her witchcraft.

When Pond and Trot had run so far that they were confident they had made good their escape, they sat down near the edge of a forest to get their breath again, for both were panting hard from their exertions. Trot was the first to recover speech, and she said to her companion, My, wasn't it terrible? The most terrible thing I ever saw, Pond agreed. And they froze glorious heart, so now she can't love you any more. Well, they froze her heart to be sure, admitted Pond.

But I'm in hopes I can melt it with my love. Where do you suppose Gloria is? asked the girl after a pause. She left the witch's house just before we did. "'Perhaps she has gone back to the king's castle,' he said. "'I'm pretty sure she started off in a different direction,' declared Trot. "'I looked over my shoulder as I ran to see how close the witches were, "'and I'm sure I saw Gloria walking slowly away toward the north.' "'Then let us circle around that way,' proposed Pond,

"'and perhaps we shall meet her.' Trot agreed to this, and they left the grove and began to circle around toward the north, thus drawing nearer and nearer to old Blinky's house again. The wicked witch did not suspect this change of direction, so when she came to the grove she passed through it and continued on. Pond and Trot had reached a place less than a half a mile from the witch's house when they saw Gloria walking toward them. The princess moved with great dignity,

and with no show of haste whatsoever, holding her head high and looking neither to right nor left pan rushed forward holding out his arms as if to embrace her and calling her sweet names but gloria gazed upon him coldly and repelled him with a haughty gesture at this the poor gardener's boy sank upon his knees and hid his face in his arms weeping bitter tears but the princess was not at all moved by his distress passing him by she drew her skirts aside as if unwilling they should touch him and then she walked up the path away and hesitated as if uncertain where to go next trot was grieved by ponds sobs and indignant because gloria treated him so badly but she remembered why i guess your heart is frozen all right she said to the princess gloria nodded gravely in reply and then turned her back upon the little girl "'Can't you like even me?' asked Trot, half-pleadingly. "'No,' said Gloria. "'Your voice sounds like a refrigerator,' sighed the little girl.

"'I'm awful sorry for you, because you were sweet and nice to me before this happened. You can't help it, of course, but it's a dreadful thing just the same.' "'My heart is frozen to all mortal loves,' announced Gloria calmly. I do not love even myself." "'That's too bad,' said Trot, "'for if you can't love anybody you can't expect anybody to love you.' "'I do,' cried Pond. "'I shall always love her.'

"'Well, you're just a gardener's boy,' replied Trot, "'and I didn't think you mounted too much from the first. I could love the old Princess Gloria with a warm heart in nice manners, but this one gives me the shivers." "'It's her icy heart, that's all,' said Pond. "'That's enough,' insisted Trot. Seeing her heart isn't big enough to skate on, I can't see that she's of any use to anyone. For my part I'm going to try to find Button Bright in Captain Bill.

I will go with you,' decided, Pond. It is evident that Gloria no longer loves me and that her heart is frozen too stiff for me to melt with my own love. Therefore I may as well help you find your friends. As Trot started off, Pond cast one more imploring look at the princess, who returned it with a chilly stare. So he followed after the little girl. As for the princess, she hesitated a moment and then turned in the same direction the

others had taken, but going far more slowly. Soon she heard footsteps pattering behind her, and up came googly-goo a little out of breath with running. "'Stop, Gloria!' he cried. "'I have come to take you back to my mansion, where we are to be married.' She looked at him wonderingly a moment, then tossed her head disdainfully, and walked on. But googly-goo kept beside her. "'What does this mean?' he demanded. "'Haven't you discover that you no longer love that Gardiner's boy, who stood in my way?'

"'Yes, I have discovered it,' she replied. "'My heart is frozen to all mortal loves. "'I cannot love you, or pawn, or the cruel king, my uncle, or even myself. Go your way, googly-go, for I will wed no one at all.' He stopped in dismay when he heard this, but in another minute he exclaimed angrily, You must wed me, Princess Gloria, whether you want to or not. I paid to have your heart frozen. I also paid the king to permit our marriage.

If you now refuse me, it will mean that I have been robbed, robbed, robbed, robbed of my precious money and jewels. He almost wept with despair. But she laughed a cold, bitter laugh, and passed on. Googly-goo caught at her arm as if to restrain her, but she whirled and dealt him a blow that sent him reeling into a ditch beside the path. Here he lay for a long time, half covered by muddy water, dazed with surprise. Finally the old courtier arose, dripping and climbed from the ditch. The princess had gone, so, muttering threats of vengeance upon her, upon the king and upon Blinky,

old googly-goo hobbled back to his mansion to have the mud removed from his costly velvet clothes. End of Chapter 14 Chapter 15 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This labor-box recording is in the public domain. Chapter 15 Trot Meets the Scarecrow Trot and Pond covered many leagues of ground, searching through forests, in fields, and in many little villages of Jinksland, but could find no trace of either Cap'n Bill or Buttonbright. Finally they paused beside a cornfield and sat upon a stile to rest.

Pond took some apples from his pocket and gave one to Trot. Then he began eating another himself, for this was their time for luncheon. When his apple was finished, Pond tossed the core into the field. Tchok, tochok, said a strange voice. What do you mean by hitting me in the eye with an apple-core? Then rose up the farm of the scarecrow, who had hidden himself in the cornfield, while he examined Pond and Trot, and decided whether they were worthy to be helped. "'Excuse me,' said Pond.

"'I didn't know you were there.' "'How did you happen to be there anyhow?' asked Trot. The scarecrow came forward with awkward steps and stood beside them. "'Ah, you are the gardener's boy,' he said to Pond. Then he turned to Trot, "'and you are the little girl who came to Jinksland riding on a big bird and who has had the misfortune to lose her friend, Captain Bill, and her chum Buttonbright. Why, how did you know all that? she inquired.

I know a lot of things, replied the scarecrow, winking at her comically. My brains are the carefully assorted, double-distilled, high-efficiency sort that the Wizard of Oz makes. He admits himself that my brains are the best he ever manufactured. "'I think I've heard of you,' said Trot slowly, as she looked the scarecrow over with much interest. "'But you used to live in the land of Oz.' "'Oh, I do now,' he replied cheerfully. "'I've just come over the mountains from the quadling country to see if I can be of any help to you.' "'Who?'

"'Me?' asked Pond. "'No, these strangers from the big world. "'They seem to need looking after.' i'm doing that myself said pon a little ungraciously if you will pardon me for saying so i don't see how a scarecrow with painted eyes can look after any one if you don't see that you are more blind than the scarecrow asserted trot he's a fairy man pon and comes from the fairy land of oz so he can do most anything i hope she added turning to the scarecrow you can find cap'n bill for me i will try anyhow he promised but who is that old woman who is running toward us and shaking her stick at us trot and pond turned around and both uttered an exclamation of fear the next instant they took to their heels and ran fast up the path for it was old blinky the wicked witch who had at last traced them to this place her anger was so great that she was determined not to abeterned to abet her anger was so great that she was determined not to abet in the chase of pawn and trot until she had caught and punished them.

The scarecrow understood it once that the old woman meant harm to his new friends, so as she drew near he stepped before her. His appearance was so sudden and unexpected that Blinky ran into him and toppled him over, but she tripped on his straw body and went rolling in the path beside him. The scarecrow sat up and said, i beg your pardon but she whacked him with her stick and knocked him flat again then furious with rage the old witch sprang upon her victim and began pulling the straw out of his body the poor scarecrow was helpless to resist and in a few moments all that was left of him was an empty suit of clothes and a heap of straw beside it Fortunately Blinky did not harm his head, for it rolled into a little hollow and escaped

her notice. Fearing that pond and trot would escape her, she quickly resumed the chase and disappeared over the brow of a hill following the direction in which she had seen them go. Only a short time elapsed, before a gray grasshopper with a wooden leg came hopping along and lit directly on the upturned face of the scarecrow's head. "'Pardon me, but you are resting yourself upon my nose,' remarked the scarecrow. "'Oh, are you alive?' asked the grasshopper. "'That is a question I have never been able to decide,' said the scarecrow's head.

"'When my body is perfectly stuffed, I have animation and can move around as well as any live person. The brains in the head you are now occupying as a throne are of very superior quality, and do a lot of very clever thinking. But whether that is being alive or not I cannot prove to you, for one who lives is liable to death, while I am only liable to destruction. Seems to me, said the grasshopper, rubbing his nose with his front legs.

That in your case it doesn't matter, unless you're destroyed already. I am not. All I need is restuffing, declared the scarecrow. And if Pond and Trot escaped the witch and come back here, I am sure they will do me that favor. "'Tell me, are Trot and Pond around here?' inquired the grasshopper, its small voice trembling with excitement. The scarecrow did not answer at once, for both his eyes were staring straight upward

at a beautiful face that was slightly bent over his head. It was indeed Princess Gloria, who had wondered to her. to this spot, very much surprised when she heard the scarecrow's head talk and the tiny gray grasshopper answer it. This, said the scarecrow, still staring at her, must be the princess who loves Pond the gardener's boy. Oh, indeed! exclaimed the grasshopper, who of course was, Captain Bill, as he examined the young lady curiously.

No, said Gloria frigidly, I do not love Pond or any one else, for the wicked witch has frozen my heart. What a shame, cried the scarecrow. One so lovely should be able to love. But would you mind, my dear, stuffing that straw into my body again? The dainty princess glanced at the straw and at the well-worn blue munchkin clothes, and shrank back in disdain. But she was spared from refusing the scarecrow's request by the appearance of trawl.

and Pond, who had hidden in some bushes just over the brow of the hill, and waged until old Blinky had passed them by. Their hiding-place was on the same side as the witch's blind eye, and she rushed on in the chase of the girl and the youth without being aware that they had tricked her. Trot was shocked at the scarecrow's sad condition, and at once began putting the straw back into his body. Pond, at sight of Gloria, again appealed to her to take pity on him, but the frozen-hearted princess turned coldly away, and with a sigh the gardener's boy began to assist Trot.

Neither of them at first noticed the small grasshopper, which at their appearance had skipped off the scarecrow's nose and was now clinging to a wisp of grass beside the path, where he was not likely to be stepped upon. Not until the scarecrow had been neatly restuffed and set upon his feet again, when he bowed to his restorers and expressed his thanks, did the grasshopper move from his perch. Then he leaped lightly into the path and called out, "'Trot! Trot! Look at me! I'm Captain Bill! See what the wicked witch has done to me?' The voice was small, to be sure, but it reached Trot's ear and startled her greatly.

She looked intently at the grasshopper, her eyes wide with fear at first, then she knelt down, and, noticing the wooden leg, she began to weep sorrowfully. Oh, Captain Bill, dear Captain Bill, what a cruel thing to do! she sobbed. Don't cry, Trot, begged the grasshopper. It didn't hurt any, and it doesn't hurt now. but it's mighty inconvenient and humiliating to say the least. I wish, said the girl indignantly, while trying hard to restrain her tears, that I was big enough and strong enough to give that horrid witch or good beating.

She ought to be turned into a toad for doing this to you, Captain Bill. Never mind, urged the scarecrow in a comforting voice. Such a transformation doesn't last always. and as a general thing there's some way to break the enchantment i'm sure glinda could do it in a jiffy who is glinda inquired cap'n bill then the scarecrow told them all about glinda not forgetting to mention her beauty and goodness and her wonderful powers of magic he also explained how the royal sorceress had sent him to jenksland especially to help the strangers whom she knew to be in danger because of the wiles of the cruel king and the wicked witch. End of Chapter 15. Chapter 16 of the Scarecrow of Oz by El Frank Baum.

This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 16. Pond summons the king to surrender. Gloria had drawn near to the group to listen to their talk, and it seemed to interest her in spite of her frigid manner. they knew of course that the poor princess could not help being cold and reserved so they tried not to blame her i ought to have come here a little sooner said the scarecrow regretfully but glinda sent me as soon as she discovered you were here and were likely to get into trouble and now that we are altogether except button-bright over whom it is useless to worry i propose we hold a council of war to decide what is best to be done that seemed a wise thing to do so they all sat down upon the grass including gloria and the grasshopper perched upon trot's shoulder and allowed her to stroke him gently with her hand

in the first place began the scarecrow this king cruel is a usurper and has no right to rule this kingdom of jenksland that is true said pond eagerly my father was king before him and i you are a gardener's boy interrupted the scarecrow your father had no right to rule either for the rightful king of this land was the father of princess gloria and Only she is entitled to sit upon the throne of Jinksland." "'Good!' exclaimed Trot. "'But what'll we do with King Krul? I suppose he won't give up the throne unless he has to?' "'No, of course not,' said the scarecrow. "'Therefore it will be our duty to make him give up the throne.'

"'How?' asked Trot. "'Give me time to think,' was the reply. "'That's what my brains are for. I don't know whether you people ever think or not, but my brains are the best that the Wizard of Oz ever turned out, and if I give them plenty of time to work, the result usually surprises me. Take your time, then, suggested Trot. There's no hurry.

Thank you, said the straw man, and sat perfectly still for half an hour. During this interval the grasshopper whispered in Trots here. to which he was very close, and Trot whispered back to the grasshopper sitting upon her shoulder. Pond cast loving glances at Gloria, who paid not the slightest heed to them. Finally the scarecrow laughed aloud. "'Brain's working?' inquired Trot. "'Yes, they seem in fine order to-day. We will conquer King Cruel and put Gloria upon his throne as queen of Jinksland.

Fine, cried the little girl, clapping her hands together gleefully. But how? Leave the how to me, said the scarecrow proudly. As a conqueror, I'm a wonder. We will, first of all, write a message to send to King Cruel, asking him to surrender. If he refuses, then we will make him surrender. why ask him when we know he'll refuse inquired pon why we must be polite whatever we do explained the scarecrow it would be very rude to conquer a king without proper notice

they found it difficult to write a message without paper pen and ink none of which was at hand so it was decided to send pon as a messenger with instructions to ask the king politely but firmly to surrender pawn was not anxious to be the messenger indeed he hinted that it might prove a dangerous mission but the scarecrow was now the acknowledged head of the army of conquest and he would listen to no refusal so off pond started for the king's castle and the others accompanied him as far as his hut where they decided to await the gardener's boys return i think it was because pon had known the scarecrow such a short time that he lacked confidence in the straw man's wisdom it was easy to say we will conquer king cruel but when pan drew near to the great castle he began to doubt the ability of a straw-stuffed man a girl a grasshopper and a frozen-hearted princess to do it as for himself he had never thought of defying the king before that was why the gardener's boy was not very bold when he entered the castle and passed through to the enclosed court where the king was just then seated with his favorite courtiers around him none prevented pawn's entrance because he was known to be the gardener's boy but when the king saw him he began to frown fiercely he considered pan to be to blame for all his trouble with Princess Gloria, who, since her heart had been frozen, had escaped to some unknown

place, instead of returning to the castle to wed googly-goo as she had been expected to do. So the king bared his teeth angrily, as he demanded, What have you done with Princess Gloria? Nothing, your majesty. I have done nothing at all, answered Pond, in a faltering voice. She doesn't love me any more and even refuses to speak to me. Then why are you here, you rascal?' roared the king. Pond looked first one way, and then another, but saw no means of escape.

So he plucked up courage. I am here to summon your majesty to surrender. What? shouted the king. Surrender? Surrender to whom? Pond's heart sank to his boots. To the scarecrow, he replied. some of the courtiers began to titter but king cruel was greatly annoyed he sprang up and began to beat poor pawn with the golden staff he carried

pan howled lustily and would have run away had not two of the soldiers held him until his majesty was exhausted with punishing the boy then they let him go when he left the castle and returned along the road sobbing at every step, because his body was so sore and aching. Well," said the scarecrow. Did the king surrender? No, but he gave me a good drubbing, sobbed poor Pond. Trot was very sorry for Pond, but Gloria did not seem affected in any way by her lover's anguish. The grasshopper leaped to the scarecrow's shoulder and asked him what he was going to do next.

Conquer, was the reply. but i will go alone this time for beatings cannot hurt me at all nor can lance thrusts or sword-cuts or arrow-pricks why is that inquired trot because i have no nerves such as you meet people possess even grasshoppers have nerves but straw doesn't so whatever they do except just one thing they cannot injure me therefore i accept i accept just one thing they cannot injure me therefore i accept to conquer King Krul with ease." "'What is the one thing you accepted?' asked Trot. "'They will never think of that, so never mind. And now, if you will kindly excuse me for a time, I'll go over to the castle and do my conquering.'

"'You have no weapons,' Pond reminded him. "'True,' said the scarecrow. "'But if I carried weapons I might injure someone, perhaps seriously, and that would make me unhappy. I will just borrow that riding-whip which I see in the corner of your hut, if you don't mind. It isn't exactly proper to walk with a riding-whip, but I trust you will excuse the inconsistency. Pond handed him the whip, and the scarecrow bowed to all the party, and left the hut, proceeding leisurely along the way to the King's Castle. End of Chapter 16.

Chapter 17 of the Scarecrow of Oz by El Frank Baum. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 17 The Ark rescues Button Bright. I must now tell you what had become of Button Bright since he wandered away in the morning and got lost. This small boy, as perhaps you have discovered, was almost as destitute of nerves as the scarecrow. Nothing ever astonished him much. Nothing ever worried him or made him unhappy.

Good fortune or bad fortune he accepted with a quiet smile, never complaining whatever happened. This was one reason why Buttonwright was a favorite with all who knew him, and perhaps it was the reason why he so often got into difficulties or found himself lost. Today, as he wandered here and there over hill and down, Dale, he missed Trot and Captain Bill, of whom he was fond. But nevertheless he was not unhappy. The birds sang merrily and the wildflowers were beautiful,

and the breeze had a fragrance of new-mown hay. The only bad thing about this country is its king, he reflected. But the country isn't to blame for that. A prairie dog stuck its round head out of a mound of earth and looked at the boy with bright eyes. walk around my house please it said and then you won't harm it or disturb the babies all right answered button-bright and took care not to step on the mound he went on whistling merrily until a petulant voice cried oh stop it please stop that noise it gets on my nerves button-bright saw an old gray owl sitting in the crotch of a tree and he replied with a laugh All right, O Fussy, and stopped whistling until he had passed out of the Owl's hearing.

At noon he came to a farmhouse, where an aged couple lived. They gave him a good dinner and treated him kindly, but the man was deaf and the woman was dumb, so they could answer no questions to guide him on the way to Pond's house. When he left them he was just as much lost as he had been before. Every grove of trees he saw from a distance he visited, for he remembered that the King's Castle was near a grove of trees, and Pons Hut was near the King's Castle. But always he met with disappointment. Finally passing through one of these groves, he came out into the open and found himself face to face with the ark. Hello, said Buttonbright.

Where did you come from? from Arkland." Was the reply? I found my own country at last, and it is not far from here either. I would have come back to you sooner, to see how you are getting along, had not my family and friends welcomed my return so royally that a great celebration was held in my honor. So I couldn't very well leave Arkland again, until the excitement was over.

Can you find your way back home again? asked the boy. Yes, easily. For now I know exactly where it is. But where are Trot and Cap'n Bill?" Button-bright related to the ark their adventures since it had left them in Jinksland, telling of Trot's fear that the King had done something wicked to Captain Bill, and of Pond's love for Gloria, and how Trot and Button-bright had been turned out of the King's castle.

That was all the news that the boy had, but it made the orc anxious for the safety of his friends. "'We must go to live at once, for they may need us,' he said. "'I don't know where to go,' confessed Button Bright. I'm lost. "'Well, I can take you back to the hut of the gardener's boy,' promised the ork. "'For when I fly high in the air I can look down and easily spy the king's castle. That was how I happened to spy you, just entering the grove. So I flew down and waited until you came out."

"'How will you carry me?' asked the boy. "'You'll have to sit, straddle on my shoulders, and put your arms around my neck. Do you think you can keep from falling off?' "'I'll try,' said Buttonbright. So the ark squatted down and the boy took his seat and held on tight. The skinny creature's tail began whirling, and up they went, far above all the treetops. After the ark had circled around once or twice, its sharp eyes located the towers of the castle, and away it flew straight toward the place.

As it hovered in the air near by the castle, Button-bright pointed out Pond's hut, so they landed just before it and Trot came running out to greet them. was introduced to the ark, who was surprised to find Captain Bill transformed into a grasshopper. "'How do you like it?' asked the creature. "'Why, it worries me a good deal,' answered Captain Bill, perched upon Trot's shoulder. "'I'm always afraid of being stepped on, and I don't like the flavor of grass, and can't seem to get used to it. It's my nature to eat grass, you know, but I begin to suspect it's an acquired taste.'

"'Can you give molasses?' asked the ark. "'I guess I'm not that kind of grasshopper,' replied Captain Bill. "'But I can't say what am I do if I was squeezed, which I hope I won't be?' "'Well,' said the Ark, "'it's a great pity, and I'd like to meet that cruel king and his wicked witch, and punish them both severely. You're awfully small, Captain Bill, but I think I would recognize you anywhere by your wooden leg.'

Then the Ark and Button Right were told, all about glorious frozen heart and how the scarecrow had come from the land of oz to help them the ark seemed rather disturbed when it learned that the scarecrow had gone alone to conquer king cruel i'm afraid he'll make a fizzle of it said the skinny creature and there's no telling what that terrible king might do to the poor scarecrow who seems like a very interesting person so i believe i'll take a hand in this conquest myself." "'How?' asked Trot. "'Wait and see,' was the reply. "'But first of all I must fly home again back to my own country. So if you'll forgive my leaving you so soon, I'll be off at once.

Stand away from my tail, please, so that the wind from it, when it revolves, won't knock you over.' They gave the creature plenty of room, and away it went like a flash. and soon disappeared in the sky. I wonder, said Buttonbright, looking solemnly after the ark, whether he'll ever come back again. Of course he will, returned Trot. The ark's a pretty good fellow, and we can depend on him, and mark my words, Button Bright. Whenever our ark does come back, there's one cruel king in Jinksland that'll wish he hadn't. End of Chapter 17.

Chapter 18 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 18 The Scarecrow meets an enemy. The scarecrow was not a bit afraid of king-cruel. Indeed, he rather enjoyed the prospect of conquering the evil king and putting Gloria on the throne of Jinksland in his place. So he advanced boldly to the royal castle and demanded admittance. Seeing that he was a stranger, the soldiers allowed him to enter.

He made his way straight to the throne room, where at that time his majesty was settling the disputes among his subjects. "'Who are you?' demanded the king. "'I'm the scarecrow of Oz, and I command you. to surrender yourself my prisoner." "'Why should I do that?' inquired the king, much astonished at the strawman's audacity. "'Because I've decided you are too cruel a king to rule so beautiful a country.

You must remember that Jinksland is a part of Oz, and therefore you owe allegiance to Osma of Oz, whose friend and servant I am.' Now, when he heard this, King Cruel was much disturbed in mind, for he knew the scarecrow spoke the truth. But no one had ever before come to Jinksland from the land of Oz, and the king did not intend to be put out of his throne if he could help it. Therefore, he gave a harsh, wicked laugh of derision and said,

Ha ha! I'm busy now. Stand out of my way, Scarecrow, and I'll talk with you by and by." But the scarecrow turned to the assembled courtiers in people, and called in a loud voice. I hereby declare, in the name of Asma of Oz, that this man is no longer ruler of Jinksland. From this moment Princess Gloria is your rightful queen, and I ask all of you to be loyal to her, and to obey her commands. The people looked fearfully at the king, whom they all hated in their hearts, but likewise feared.

Cruel was now in a terrible rage, and he raised his golden scepter and struck the scarecrow so heavy a blow that he fell to the floor. But he was up again in an instant, and with Pond's riding whip he switched the king so hard that the wicked monarch roared with pain as much as with rage, calling on his soldiers to capture the scarecrow. They tried to do that, and thrust their lances and swords into the straw body, but without doing any damage except to make holes in the scarecrow's clothes. However, they were many against one, and finally old googly-goob brought a rope which he wound around the scarecrow, binding his legs together and his arms to his sides, and after that the fight was over. The king stormed and danced around in a dreadful fury, for he had never been so switched

since he was a boy, and perhaps not then. He ordered the scarecrow thrust into the castle prison, which was no task at all, because one man could carry him easily bound as he was. Even after the prisoner was removed, the king could not control his anger. He tried to figure out some way to be revenged upon the straw man, but could think of nothing that could hurt him. At last, when the terrified people and the frightened courtiers had all slunk away, old googly-goo approached the king with a malicious grin upon his face.

"'I'll tell you what to do,' said he. "'Build a big bonfire and burn the scarecrow up, and that will be the end of him.' The king was so delighted with this suggestion that he hugged old googly-goo in his joy. "'Of course!' he cried. the very thing. Why did I not think of it myself? So he summoned his soldiers and retainers, and bade them prepare a great bonfire

in an open space in the castle park. Also, he sent word to all his people to assemble and witness the destruction of the scarecrow, who had dared to defy his power. Before long a vast throng gathered in the park, and the servants had heaped up enough fuel to make a fire that might be seen for miles away, even in the daytime. When all was prepared, the king had his throne brought out for him to sit upon and enjoy

the spectacle, and then he sent his soldiers to fetch the scarecrow. Now the one thing in all the world that the straw man really feared was fire. He knew he would burn very easily. easily, and that his ashes wouldn't amount to much afterward. It wouldn't hurt him to be destroyed in such a manner, but he realized that many people in the land of Oz, and especially Dorothy and the Royal Osma, would feel sad if they learned that their old friend the scarecrow

was no longer in existence. In spite of this, the straw man was brave, and faced his fiery fate like a hero. when they marched him out before the concourse of people he turned to the king with great calmness and said the wicked deed this wicked deed will cost you your throne as well as much suffering for my friends will avenge my destruction your friends are not here nor will they know what i have done to you when you are gone and cannot tell them answered the king in a scornful voice Then he ordered the scarecrow bound to a stout stake that he had had driven into the ground, and the materials for the fire were heaped all around him. When this had been done, the king's brass band struck up a lively tune,

and old googly-goo came forward with a lighted match and set fire to the pile. At once the flames shot up and crept closer and closer to it. toward the scarecrow. The king and all his people were so intent upon this terrible spectacle that none of them noticed how the sky grew suddenly dark. Perhaps they thought that the loud buzzing sound, like the noise of a dozen moving railway trains, came from the blazing faggots, that the rush of wind was merely a breeze. But suddenly down swept a flock of arcs, half a hundred of them at the least.

east, and the powerful currents of air caused by their revolving tails sent the bonfire scattering in every direction so that not one burning brand ever touched the scarecrow. But that was not the only effect of this sudden tornado. King Krul was blown out of his throne and went tumbling heels overhead until he landed with a bump against the stone wall of his own. castle, and before he could rise, a big ark sat upon him and held him pressed flat to the ground. Old googly-goo shot up into the air like a rocket and landed on a tree where he hung by the

middle on a high limb, kicking the air with his feet and clawing the air with his hands, and howling for mercy like the coward he was. The people pressed back until they were jammed close together. while all the soldiers were knocked over and sent sprawling to the earth. The excitement was great for a few minutes, and every frightened inhabitant of Jinksland looked with awe and amazement at the great arcs whose descent had served to rescue the scarecrow and conquer King Cruel at one and the same time.

The Ark, who was the leader of the band, soon had the scarecrow free of his bonds. Then he said, "'Well, we were just in time to save you, which is better than being a minute too late. You are now the master here, and we are determined to see your orders obeyed.' With this the ark picked up Crue's golden crown, which had fallen off his head, and placed it upon the head of the scarecrow, who in his awkward way then shuffled over to the throne and sat down in it. Seeing this, a rousing cheer broke from the crowd of people, who tossed their hats and waved their handkerchiefs, and hail the scarecrow as their king.

The soldiers joined the people in the cheering, for now they fully realized that their hated master was conquered, and it would be wise to show their goodwill to the conqueror. Some of them bound cruel with ropes, and dragged him forward, dumping his body on the ground, before the scarecrow's throne. Googly-goo struggled until he finally slid off the limb of the tree and came tumbling to the ground. He then tried to sneak away and escape, but the soldiers seized and bound him beside cruel. The tables are turned, said the scarecrow, swelling out his chest until the straw within it crackled pleasantly. For he was highly pleased, but it was you and your people who did it, friend Ark, and from this time you may count me your humble servant."

End of Chapter 18. Chapter 19 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libri-Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 19 The Conquest of the Witch. Now, as soon as the conquest of King Cruel had taken place, one of the arks had been disembarker. patched to Pond's house with joyful news. At once Gloria and Pond and Trot and Button-bright hastened toward the castle. They were somewhat surprised by the sight that met their eyes, for there was the scarecrow crowned king and all the people kneeling humbly before him. So they likewise

bowed low to the new ruler, and then stood beside the throne. Captain Bill, as the gray grasshopper, was still perched upon Trot's shoulder, but now he hopped to the shoulder of the scarecrow and whispered into the painted ear. I thought Gloria was to be queen of Jinksland. The scarecrow shook his head. Not yet, he answered. No queen with a frozen heart is fit to rule any country. Then he turned to his new friend, the ark, who was strutting about, very proud of what he had done, and said,

Do you suppose you and your followers could find old Blinky the witch?" "'Where is she?' asked the ark. "'Somewhere in Jinksland, I am sure.' "'Then,' said the ark, "'we shall certainly be able to find her.' "'It will give me great pleasure,' declared the scarecrow. "'When you have found her, bring her here to me, and I will then decide what to do with her.'

The ark called his followers together, and spoke a few words to them in a low tone. A moment after they rose into the air so suddenly that the scarecrow, who was very light and weight, was blown quite out of his throne and into the arms of pond, who replaced him carefully upon his seat. There was an eddy of dust and ashes, too, and the grasshopper only saved himself from being whirled into the crowd of people by jumping into a tree from where a series of hops soon brought him back to Trot's shoulder again. The arcs were quite out of sight by this time, so the scarecrow made a speech to the people and presented Gloria to them, whom they knew well already and were fond of, but not all of them

knew of her frozen heart. And when the scarecrow related the story of the wicked witch's misdeeds, which had been encouraged and paid for by cruel and googly-goo. The people were very indignant. Meanwhile, the fifty arcs had scattered all over Jinksland, which is not a very big country, and their sharp eyes were peering into every valley and grove and gully. Finally, one of them spied a pair of heels, sticking out from underneath some bushes,

and with a shrill whistle. to warn his comrades that the witch was found, the ark flew down and dragged old Blinky from her hiding-place. Then two or three of the arks seized the clothing of the wicked woman in their strong claws, and lifting her high in the air, where she struggled and screamed to no avail. They flew with her straight to the royal castle and set her down before the throne of the scarecrow. Good! exclaimed the strife. straw man, nodding his stuffed head with satisfaction.

Now we can proceed to business. Mistress witch, I am obliged to request gently but firmly, that you undo all the wrongs you have done by means of your witchcraft." "'Pah!' cried old Blinky in a scornful voice. "'I defy you all. By my magic powers I can turn you all into pigs, rooting in the mud. the mud, and I'll do it if you're not careful." I think you are mistaken about that," said the scarecrow.

And rising from his throne he walked with wobbling steps to the side of the wicked witch. Before I left the Land of Oz, Glinda the royal sorceress gave me a box which I was not to open except in an emergency, but I feel pretty sure that this occasion is an emergency. "'See, don't you, Trot?' he asked, turning toward the little girl. "'Why, we've got to do something,' replied Trot seriously. "'Things seem in an awful muddle here just now, and they'll be worse if we don't stop this witch from doing more harm to people.' "'That is my idea exactly,' said the scarecrow.

Taking a small box from his pocket, he opened the cover and tossed the contents toward Blinky. the old woman shrank back pale and trembling as a fine white dust settled all about her under its influence she seemed to the eyes of all observers to shrivel and grow smaller oh dear oh dear she wailed wringing her hands in fear haven't you the antidote scarecrow didn't the great sorceress give you another box she did answered the scarecrow then give it to me quick pleaded the witch give it to me and i'll do anything you ask me to you will do what i ask first declared the scarecrow firmly the witch was shriveling and growing smaller every moment be quick then she cried tell me what i must do and let me do it or it will be too late you made trot's friend cap'n bill a grasshopper I command you to give him back his proper farm again," said the scarecrow. "'Where is he? Where's the grasshopper? Quick! she screamed.' Captain Bill, who had been deeply interested in this conversation, gave a great leap from Trot's

shoulder and landed on that of the scarecrow. Blinky saw him alight, and it once began to make magic passes and mumble magic incantations. She was in a desperate her worry, knowing that she had no time to waste, and the grasshopper was so suddenly transformed into the old sailor-man Captain Bill that he had no opportunity to jump off the scarecrow's shoulder. So his great weight bore the stuffed scarecrow to the ground. No harm was done, however, and the straw-man got up and brushed the dust from his clothes, while Trot delightedly embraced Captain Bill.

"'The other box, quick! "'lop me the other bugs,' begged Blinky, who had now shrunk to half her former size. "'Not yet,' said the scarecrow. "'You must first melt Princess Gloria's frozen heart.' "'I can't! It's an awful job to do that! I can't!' asserted the witch in an agony of fear, for still she was growing smaller. "'You must!' declared the scarecrow firmly.

The witch cast a shrewd look at him and saw that he meant it. So she began dancing around Gloria in a frantic manner. The princess looked coldly on, as if not at all interested in the proceedings, while Blinky tore a handful of hair from her own head and ripped a strip of cloth from the bottom of her gown. Then the witch sank upon her knees, took a purple powder from her black bag, and, and she, and, and sprinkled it over the hair and cloth. "'I hate to do it! I hate to do it!' she wailed.

"'Where there is no more of this magic compound in all the world, but I must sacrifice it to save my own life. A match! Give me a match quick!' And panting from lack of breath, she gazed imploringly from one to another. Captain Bill was the only one who had a match, but he lost no time in handing his to Blinky, who quickly set fire to the hair and the cloth and the purple powder. At once a purple cloud enveloped Gloria, and this gradually turned to a rosy pink color, brilliant and quite transparent. Through the rosy cloud, they could all see the beautiful princess standing proud and erect.

Then her heart became visible, at first frosted with ice, but slowly, growing brighter and warmer, until all the frost had disappeared, and it was beating as softly and regularly as any other heart. And now the cloud dispersed and disclosed Gloria, her face suffused with joy, smiling tenderly upon the friends who were grouped about her. Poor Pond stepped forward, timidly, fearing it repulse, but with pleading eyes and arms fondly outstretched toward his former sweetheart, and the princess saw him, and her sweet face lightened with a radiant smile.

Without an instant's hesitation she threw herself into Pond's arms, and this reunion of two loving hearts was so affecting that the people turned away and lowered their eyes, so as not to mar the sacred joy of the faithful lovers. But Blinky's small voice was shouting to the scarecrow for help. The antidote! she screamed. Give me the other box, quick! The scarecrow looked at the witch with his quaint painted eyes, and saw that she was now no taller than his knee,

so he took from his pocket the second box and scattered its contents on Blinky. She ceased to grow any smaller, but she could never regain her former size. and this the wicked old woman well knew. She did not know, however, that the second powder had destroyed all her power to work magic, and, seeking to be revenged upon the scarecrow and his friends, she at once began to mumble a charm so terrible in its effect,

that it would have destroyed half the population of Jinksland had it worked. But it did not work at all, to the amazement of old Blinky. And by this time the scarecrow noticed what the little witch was trying to do and said to her, Go home, Blinky, and behave yourself. You are no longer a witch, but an ordinary old woman. And since you are powerless to do more evil, I advise you to try to do some good in the world. Believe me, it is more fun to accomplish a good act than an evil one, as you will discover when once you have tried it.

But Blinky was at that moment filled with grief and chagrin at losing her magic powers. She started away toward her home, sobbing and bewailing her fate, and not one who saw her go was at all sorry for her. End of Chapter 19. Chapter 20 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Liebervock's recording is in the public domain. Chapter 20 Queen Gloria Next morning the scarecrow called upon all the courtiers and the people to assemble in the throne room of the castle,

where there was room enough for all that were able to attend. They found the straw-band seated upon the velvet cushions of the throne, with the king's glittering crown still upon his stuffed head. On one side of the throne in a lower chair sat Gloria. looking radiantly beautiful and fresh as a new-blown rose. On the other side sat Pan, the gardener's boy, still dressed in his old smock-frock, and looking sad and solemn, for Pan could not make himself believe that so splendid a princess would condescend to love him when she had come to her own

and was seated upon a throne. Trotta and Captain Bill sat at the feet of the scarecrow, and were much interested in the proceedings. Buttonbright had lost himself before breakfast, but came into the throne-room before the ceremonies were over. Back of the throne stood a row of the great arcs, with their leader in the center, and the entrance to the palace was guarded by more arcs, who were regarded with wonder and awe. When all were assembled the scarecrow stood up and made a speech.

He told how glorious father, the good king kind, who had once ruled them and been loved by everyone, had been destroyed by King Fierce, the father of Pond, and how King Fierce had been destroyed by King Cruel. This last king had been a bad ruler, as they knew very well, and the scarecrow declared that the only one in all Jinksland who had the right to sit upon the throne was Princess "'Gloria, the daughter of King Kind.' "'But,' he added, "'it is not for me a stranger to say who shall rule you.

"'You must decide for yourselves, or you will not be content. "'So choose now who shall be your future ruler.' And they all shouted, "'The scarecrow! The scarecrow shall rule us!' "'Which proved that the stuffed man had made himself very popular by his conquest of King Krul, and the people thought that they would like him for their king. But the scarecrow shook his head so vigorously that it became loose, and Trot had to pin it firmly

to his body again. "'No,' said he, "'I belong to the land of Oz, where I am the humble servant of the lovely girl who rules us all, the royal Osma. you must choose one of your own inhabitants to rule over jinxland who shall it be they hesitated for a moment and some few cried pawn but many more shouted gloria so the scarecrow took gloria's hand and led her to the throne where he first seated her and then took the glittering crown off his own head and placed it upon that of the young lady, where it nestled prettily amongst her soft curls. The people cheered and shouted then, kneeling before their new queen, but Gloria leaned down and took Pond's hand in both her own, and raised him to the seat beside her.

"'You shall have both a king and a queen to care for you, and to protect you, my dear subjects,' she said in a sweet voice, while her face glowed with happiness, for Pond was a king's son before he became a gardener's boy, and because I love him he is to be my royal consort. That pleased them all, especially Pond, who realized that this was the most important moment of his life. Trot and Buttonwright and Cap'n Bill all congratulated him on winning the beautiful Gloria, but the ark sneezed twice, and said that in his opinion the young lady might

have done better. Then the scarecrow ordered the guards to bring in the wicked cruel, King no longer, and when he appeared, loaded with chains and dressed in Fustian, the people hissed him and drew back as he passed, so their garments would not touch him. Cruel was not haughty or overbearing any more. On the contrary, he seemed very meek, and in great fear of the fate his conquerors had in store for him. But Gloria and Pond were too happy to be revengeful, and so they offered to appoint cruel to the position of Gardner's boy at the castle, upon having resigned to become king.

But they said he must promise to reform his wicked ways, and to do his duty faithfully, and he must change his name from cruel to gruel. All this the man eagerly promised to do, and so when Pond retired to a room in the castle to put on princely raiment, the old brown smock he had formerly worn was given to Gruel, who then went out into the garden to water the roses. The remainder of that famous day, which was long remembered in Jinksland, was given over to feasting and merry-making.

In the evening there was a grand dance in the courtyard, where the brass band played a new piece of music called the Ark Trot, which was dedicated to Our Glorious Gloria, the Queen. While the Queen and Pond were leading the dance, and all the Jinksland people were having a good time, the strangers were gathered in a group in the park outside the castle. cap'n bill trot button-bright and the scarecrow were there and so was their old friend the ark but of all the great flock of arcs which had assisted in the conquest but three remained in jenksland besides their leader the others having returned to their own country as soon as gloria was crown queen to the young ark who had accompanied them in their adventures cap'n bill said

you've surely been a friend in need and we're mighty grateful to you for helping us i might have been a grasshopper yet if it hadn't been for you and i might remark that being a grasshopper is it much fun if it hadn't been for you friend ark said the scarecrow i fear i could not have conquered king cruel no agreed trot you'd have been just a heap of ashes by this time and i might have been lost yet added button-bright "'Much obliged to Mr. Ark.' "'Oh, that's all right,' replied the Ark. "'Friends must stand together, you know, or they wouldn't be friends. But now I must leave you and be off to my own country, where there's going to be a surprise party from my uncle, and I've promised to attend it.' "'Dear me,' said the scarecrow regretfully.

"'That is very unfortunate.' "'Why so?' asked the Ark. I hoped you would consent to carry us over those mountains into the land of Oz. My mission here is now finished, and I want to get back to the Emerald City. How did you cross the mountains before?' inquired the ark. I scaled the cliffs by means of a rope and crossed the Great Gulf on a strand of spider-web. Of course I can return in the same manner, but it would be a hard journey, and perhaps an impossible one, for Trot and Buttonbright and Cap'n Bill.

So I thought that if you had the time, you and your people would carry us over the mountains, and land us all safely on the other side in the land of Oz. The Ark thoughtfully considered the matter for a while. Then he said, I mustn't break my promise to be present at the surprise party, but tell me, could you go to Oz tonight? What, now?

exclaimed Trot. "'It's a fine moonlit night,' said the Ark. "'And I found in my experience that there's no time so good as right away. The fact is,' he explained, "'It's a long journey to Arkland, and I and my cousins here are all rather tired by our day's work. But if you will start now and be content to allow us to carry you over the mountains and dump you on the other side. Just say the word, and off we go."

Captain Bill and Trot looked at one another, questioningly. The little girl was eager to visit the famous fairyland of Oz, and the old sailor had endured such hardships in Jinksland that he would be glad to be out of it. It's rather impolite of us not to say goodbye to the new king and queen, remarked the scarecrow, But I'm sure they're too happy to miss us, and I assure you it will be much easier to fly on the backs of the arcs over these steep mountains than to climb them as I did. All right, let's go, Trot decided. But where's Buttonbright? Just at this important moment Button Bright was lost again, and they all scattered in search of him. He had been standing beside them just a few minutes before, but his friends had an exciting

hunt for him before they finally discovered the boy, seated among the members of the band, beating the end of the bass drum with the bone of a turkey leg that he had taken from the table in the banquet room. "'Hello, Trot,' he said, looking up at the little girl when she found him. "'This is the first chance I ever had to pound a drum with a regular drumstick, and I ate all the meat off the bone myself. Come quick, we're going to the land of Oz. Oh, what's the hurry?

said Buttonbright, but she seized his arm and dragged him away to the park where the others were waiting. Trot climbed upon the back of her old friend, the Ark Leader, and the others took their seats on the backs of his three cousins. As soon as all were placed and clinging to the skinny necks of the creatures, the revolving tales began to whirl, and up rose the four monster arcs, and sailed away toward the mountains. They were so high in the air that when they passed the crest of the highest peak, it seemed far below them. No sooner were they well across the barrier, then the arcs swooped downward

and landed their passengers upon the ground. "'Here we are, safe in the land of Oz!' cried the scarecrow. joyfully. Oh, are we? asked Trot, looking around her curiously. She could see the shadows of stately trees, and the outlines of rolling hills. Beneath her feet was soft turf, but otherwise the subdued light of the moon disclosed nothing clearly. Seems just like any other country, was Captain Bill's comment.

But it isn't, the scarecrow assured him, you are now within. bend the borders of the most glorious fairyland in all the world. This part of it is just a corner of the quadling country, and the least interesting portion of it. It's not very thickly settled around here, I'll admit, but he was interrupted by a sudden whir and a rush of air as the four arcs mounted into the sky. "'Good-night!' called the shrill voices of the strange creatures. although Trot shouted good-night as loudly as she could, the little girl was almost ready

to cry, because the Arks had not waited to be properly thanked for all their kindness to her and to Cap'n Bill. But the Arks were gone, and thanks for good deeds do not amount to much except to prove one's politeness. "'Well, friends,' said the scarecrow, "'we mustn't stay here in the meadows all night, so let us find a pleasant place to sleep. Not that it matters to me in the least, for I never sleep, but I know that meat people like to shut their eyes and lie still during the dark hours. I'm pretty tired, admitted Trot, yawning as she followed the straw man along a tiny path, so if you don't find a house handy, Captain Bill and I will sleep under the trees, or even on this soft grass.

But a house was not very far off, although when the scarecrow stumbled to you. upon it, there was no light in it whatever. Captain Bill knocked on the door several times, and there being no response, the scarecrow boldly lifted the latch and walked in, followed by the others. And no sooner had they entered that a soft light filled the room. Trot couldn't tell where it came from, for no lamp of any sort was visible, but she did not waste much time on this problem because Dye died. directly in the center of the room, stood a table set for three, with lots of good food

on it, and several of the dishes smoking hot. The little girl and Button-bright both uttered exclamations of pleasure, but they looked in vain for any cook-stove or fireplace, or for any person who might have prepared for them this delicious feast. "'It's Fairyland,' muttered the boy, tossing his cap in a corner, and seating himself at the table. This supper smells most as good as that turkey-leg I had in Jinksland. Please pass the muffins, Captain Bill. Trot thought it was strange that no people but themselves were in the house, but on the wall opposite the door was a gold frame bearing in

big letters the word welcome. She had no further hesitation in eating the food so mysteriously prepared for them. But there are only places for three, she exclaimed. Three are quite good enough, said the scarecrow. I never eat, because I am stuffed full already. But I like my nice, clean straw better than I do food. Trot and the sailor-man were hungry and made a hearty meal, for not since they had left home had they tasted such good food.

It was surprising that Buttonbright could eat so soon after his feast, jinxland, but the boy always ate whenever there was an opportunity. If I don't eat now, he said, the next time I'm hungry I wish I had. Really, Captain, remarked Trot, when she found a dish of ice cream appear beside her plate. I believe this is Fairyland, sure enough. There's no doubt of it, Trot, he answered gravely. I've been here before, said Buttonwright, so I know. After supper they discovered three tiny bedrooms adjoining the big living-room of the house,

and in each room was a comfortable white bed with downy pillows. You may be sure that the tired mortals were not long in bidding the scarecrow good-night and creeping into their beds where they slept soundly until morning. For the first time since they set eyes on the terrible whirlpool, Trot and Cap'n Bill were free from anxiety and care. But in Bright never worried about anything. The scarecrow, not being able to sleep, looked out of the window and tried to count the stars. End of Chapter 20.

Chapter 21 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 21. One, Dorothy, Betsy, and Osma. I suppose many of my readers have read descriptions of the beautiful, magnificent, emerald city of Oz, so I need not describe it here, except to state that never has any city in any fairyland ever equalled this one in stately splendor. It lies almost exactly in the center of the land of Oz, and, in the center of the emerald city,

rises the wall of glistening emeralds that surrounds the palace of Asma. The palace is almost a city in itself, and is inhabited by many of the rulers' especial friends, and those who have won her confidence in favor. As for Asma herself, there are no words in any day. dictionary I can find that are fitted to describe this young girl's beauty of mind and person. Merely to see her is to love her for her charming face and manners. To know her is to love her for her tender sympathy, her generous nature, her truth and honor.

Born of a long line of fairy queens, Osma is as nearly perfect as any fairy may be, and she is a very perfect as any fairy may be, and she is noted for her wisdom as well as for her other qualities. Her happy subjects adore their girl ruler, and each one considers her a comrade and protector. At the time of which I write, Osma's best friend and most constant companion was a little Kansas girl named Dorothy,

a mortal who had come to the land of Oz in a very curious manner, and had been offered a home in Osma's palace. Furthermore, Dorothy had been made a princess of Oz, and was as much at home in the royal palace as was the gentle ruler. Next to Asma, she was loved better than anyone in all Oz, for Dorothy was simple and sweet, seldom became angry and had such a friendly, chummy way, that she made friends wherever she wondered.

It was she who first brought the scarecrow and the tin woodman and the cowardly line to the Emerald City. Dorothy had also introduced to Osma the Shaggy Man and the Hungry Tiger, as well as Belina the Yellow Hen, Eureka the pink kitten, and many other delightful characters and creatures. Coming as she did from our world, Dorothy was much like many other girls we know, So there were times when she was not so wise as she might have been, at other times when she was obstinate and got herself into trouble. But life in a fairyland had taught the little girl to accept all sorts of surprising things as matters, of course, for while Dorothy was no fairy, but just as mortal as we are, she had seen more wonders than most mortals ever do. Another little girl from our outside world also lived in Osma's palace.

This was Betsy Bobbin, whose strange adventures had brought her to the Emerald City, where Osma had cordially welcomed her. Betsy was a shy little thing, and could never get used to the marvels that surrounded her, but she and Dorothy were firm friends, and thought themselves very fortunate in being together in this delightful country. One day Dorothy and Betsy were visiting Osma in the girl-rulers' private apartment, and among the things that especially interested them was Osma's magic picture, set in a handsome frame and hung upon the wall of the room.

This picture was a magic one, because it constantly changed its scenes and showed events and adventures happening in all parts of the world. Thus, it was really a moving piece. picture of life. And if the one who stood before it wished to know what any absent person was doing, the picture instantly showed that person with his or her surroundings. The two girls were not wishing to see anyone in particular on this occasion, but merely enjoyed watching the shifting scenes, some of which were exceedingly curious and remarkable. Suddenly, Dorothy exclaimed, Why, there's button-bright! And this drew a little.

Osma also to look at the picture, for she and Dorothy knew the boy well. "'Who is Buttenbright?' asked Betsy, who had never met him. "'Why, he's the little boy, who is just getting off the back of that strange flying creature,' exclaimed Dorothy. Then she turned to Osma and asked, "'What is that thing, Osma? A bird? I've never seen anything like it before.' "'It's an ark,' answered Osma,

for they were watching the scene where the ark and the three big birds were first landing their passengers in Jinksland after the long flight across the desert. "'I wonder,' added the girl ruler musingly, "'why those strangers dare venture into that unfortunate country, which is ruled by a wicked king?' "'That girl and the one-legged man seemed to be mortals from the outside world,' said Dorothy. "'The man isn't one-legged,' corrected Betsy. "'He has one wooden leg.' "'It's almost as bad,' declared Dorothy, watching Captain Bill stump around. "'They are three mortal adventurers,' said Osma.

"'And they seem worthy and honest. "'But I fear they will be treated badly in Jinksland. "'And if they meet with any misfortune there, "'it will reflect upon me, for Jinksland is. a part of my dominions can't we help them in any way inquired dorothy that seems like a nice little girl i'd be sorry if anything happened to her let us watch the picture for a while suggested ospa and so they all drew chairs before the magic picture and followed the adventures of trot and cap'n bill and button-bright presently the scene shifted and showed their friend the scarecrow crossing the mountains into Jinksland, and that somewhat relieved Osma's anxiety, for she knew at once that Glenda the Good had sent the scarecrow to protect the strangers. The adventures in Jinksland proved very interesting to the three girls in Osma's palace,

who, during the succeeding days spent much of their time in watching the picture. It was like a story to them. "'That girl's a regular trump!' exclaimed Dorothy, referring to Trot, and Asma answered, "'She's a dear little thing, and I'm sure nothing very bad will happen to her. The old sailor is a fine character, too, for he has never once grumbled over being a grasshopper, as so many would have done.' When the scarecrow was so nearly burned up, the girls all shivered a little, and they clapped their hands in joy when the flock of arcs came and saved him. So it was that when all the exciting adventures in Jinksland were over, and the four

arcs had begun their flight across the mountains to carry the mortals into the land of Oz, Osma called the wizard to her and asked him to prepare a place for the strangers to sleep. The famous Wizard of Oz was a quaint little man who inhabited the royal palace and attended to all the magical things that Osma wanted to done. He was not as powerful as Glenda, to be sure, but he could do a great many wonderful things. He proved this, by placing a house in the uninhabited part of the quadling country, where the arcs landed Cap'n Bill and Trot and Buttonbright,

and fitting it with all the comforts I have described in the last chapter. Next morning, Dorothy said to Osma, "'Ordn't we to go meet the strangers so we can show show him the way to the Emerald City. I'm sure that little girl will feel shy in this beautiful land, and I know if it was me I'd like someone to give me a welcome.' Osma smiled at her little friend and answered, "'You and Betsy may go to meet them if you wish. But I cannot leave my palace just now, for I am to have a conference with Jack Pumpkinhead and Professor Wogglebug on important matters. You may take the source.

saw-horse and the red wagon, and if you start soon, you will be able to meet the scarecrow and the strangers at Glinda's Palace. Oh, thank you, cried Dorothy, and went away to tell Betsy and to make preparations for the journey. End of Chapter 21. Chapter 22 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 22 The Waterfall

Glenda's Castle was a long way from the mountains, but the scarecrow began the journey cheerfully, since time was of no great importance in the land of Oz, and he had recently made the trip and knew the way. It never mattered much to Button-right where he was, or what he was doing. The boy was content in being alive and having good companions to share his wanderings. as for trot and cap'n bill they now found themselves so comfortable and free from danger in this fine fairyland and they were so odd and amazed by the adventures they were encountering that the journey to glinda's castle was more like a pleasure trip than a hardship so many wonderful things were there to see button-bright had been in oz before but never in this part of it so the scarecrow was the only one who knew the

paths, and could lead them. They had eaten a hearty breakfast, which they found already prepared for them, and awaiting them on the table when they arose from their refreshing sleep. So they left the magic house in a contented mood, and with hearts lighter and more happy than they had known for many a day. As they marched along through the fields, the sun shone brightly, and the breeze was laden with delicious fragrance, for it carried with the world. it the breath of millions of wildflowers." At noon when they stopped to rest by the bank of a pretty river, Trot said, with a long-drawn breath that was much like a sigh.

"'I wish we'd brought with us some food that was left from our breakfast, for I'm getting hungry again.' Scarcely had she spoken, when a table rose up before them, as if from the ground itself, And it was loaded with fruits and nuts and cakes and many other good things to eat. The little girl's eyes opened wide at this display of magic, and Captain Bill was not sure that the things were actually there and fit to eat, until he had taken them in his hand and tasted them. But the scarecrow said, with a laugh, someone is looking after your welfare, that is certain.

And from the looks of this table, I suspect my friend the wizard has taken a little. us in his charge. "'I've known him to do things like this before, and if we are in the wizard's care, you need not worry about your future.' "'Who's worrying?' inquired Buttonwright, already at the table, and busily eating. The scarecrow looked around the place while the others were feasting, and, finding many things unfamiliar to him, he shook his head and remarked, "'I must have taken the wrong path back at that last valley, for on the first of the

On my way to Jenksland, I remember that I passed around the foot of this river where there was a great waterfall. Did the river make a bend after the waterfall? asked Captain Bill. No. The river disappeared. Only a pool of whirling water showed what had become of the river, but I suppose it is underground somewhere, and will come to the surface again in another part of the country. "'Well,' suggested Trot as she finished her luncheon, "'as there is no way to cross this river, "'I suppose we'll have to find that waterfall and go around it.' "'Exactly,' replied the scarecrow.

"'So they soon renewed their journey, "'following the river for a long time "'until the roar of the waterfall sounded in their ears. "'By and by they came to the waterfall itself, "'a sheet of silver dropping far, far, far, down, into a tiny lake, which seemed to have no outlet. From the top of the fall where they stood, the banks gradually sloped away, so that the descent by land was easy, while the river could do nothing but glide over an edge of rock,

and tumble straight down to the depths below. "'You see?' said the scarecrow, leaning over the brink. This is called by our Oz people, the great water-water. because it is certainly the highest one in all the land, but I think, Help!" He had lost his balance, and pitched head foremost into the river. They saw a flash of straw and blue clothes, and the painted face looking upward and surprise. The next moment the scarecrow was swept over the waterfall and plunged into the basin below.

The accident had happened so suddenly that for a little. moment they were all too horrified to speak or move. Quick! We must go to help him or he will be drowned, Trot exclaimed. Even while speaking she began to descend the bank to the pool below, and Captain Bill followed as swiftly as his wooden leg would let him. Button Bright came more slowly, calling to the girl, He can't drown, Trot, he's a scarecrow.

But she wasn't sure a scarecrow couldn't drown and never relax. her speed, until she stood on the edge of the pool with the spray dashing in her face. Captain Bill, puffing and panting, had just voice enough to ask as he reached her side. "'See him, Trot? Not a speck of him. Oh, Captain, what do he suppose has become of him?' "'I suppose,' replied the sailor, "'that he's in the water, more or less far down, and I'm afraid it'll make his straw

pretty soggy, but as for his being drowned, I agree with Button Bright that it can't be done." There was small comfort in this assurance, and Trot stood for some time, searching with her eyes the bubbling water, in the hope that the scarecrow would finally come to the surface. Presently she heard Button Bright calling, "'Come here, Trot!' And, looking around, she saw that the boy had crept over the wet rocks to the edge of the waterfall, and seemed to be peering behind it. Making her way toward him, she asked, What do you see?

A cave? He answered. Let's go in. Perhaps we'll find the scarecrow there. She was a little doubtful of that, but the cave interested her, and so did it, Captain Bill. There was just space enough at the edge of the sheet of water for them to crowd in behind it, but after that dangerous entrance, they found room enough to walk.

upright, and after a time they came to an opening in the wall of rock. Approaching this opening, they gazed within it, and found a series of steps, cut so that they might easily descend into the cavern. Trot turned to look inquiringly at her companions. The falling water made such a din and roaring that her voice could not be heard. Captain Bill nodded his head, but before he could enter the cave, but to Bright was before him, clambering down the steps without a particle of fear, so the others followed the boy.

The first steps were wet with spray and slippery, but the remainder were quite dry. A rosy light seemed to come from the interior of the cave, and this lighted their way. After the steps there was a short tunnel, high enough for them to walk erect in, and then they reached the cave itself, pausing in wonder and admiration. They stood on the edge of a vast cavern, the walls and domed roof of which were lined with countless rubies, exquisitely cut, and flashing sparkling rays from one to another. This caused a radiant light that permitted the entire cavern to be distinctly seen, and the effect was so marvellous that Trot drew in her breath with a sort of gasp,

and stood quite still in wonder. But the walls and roof of the cavern were merely a setting, for a more wonderful scene. In the center was a bubbling cauldron of water, for here the river rose again, splashing and dashing till its spray rose high in the air, where it took the ruby color of the jewels, and seemed like a seething mass of flame. And while they gazed into the tumbling, tossing water, the body of the scarecrow suddenly rose in the center, struggling and kicking, and the next instant wholly disappeared from view. "'My, but he's wet!' exclaimed Buttonbright, but none of the others heard him.

Trot and Cap'n Bill discovered that a broad ledge, covered like the walls with glittering rubies, ran all around the cavern, so they followed this gorgeous, path to the rear, and found where the water made its final dive underground, before it disappeared entirely. Where it plunged into this dim abyss the water was black and dreary-looking, and they stood gazing in awe until just beside them the body of the scarecrow again popped up from the water. End of Chapter 22. Chapter 23 of the Scarecrow of Oz by Elfr

Frank Baum. This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 23 The Land of Oz. The strawman's appearance on the water was so sudden that it startled Trot, but Captain Bill had the presence of mind to stick his wooden leg out over the water, and the scarecrow made a desperate clutch and grabbed the leg with both hands. He managed to hold on until Trot and button-bright, knelt down and seized his clothing, but the children would have been powerless to drag the soaked scarecrow, ashore, had not Cap'n Bill now assisted them. When they laid him on the ledge of rubies he was the most useless-looking scarecrow you

can imagine. His straw sodden and dripping with water, his clothing wet and crumpled, while even the sack upon which his face was painted, had become so wrinkled, that that the old, jolly expression of their stuffed friend's features was entirely gone. But he could still speak. And when Trot bent down her ear, she heard him say, Get me out of here as soon as you can. That seemed a wise thing to do. So Cap'n Bill lifted his head and shoulders,

and Trot and Buttonbright each took a leg. Among them they partly carried and partly dragged the damp scarecrow out of the ruby cavern along the tunnel and up the flight of rock steps. It was somewhat difficult to get him past the edge of the waterfall, but they succeeded after much effort, and a few minutes later laid their poor comrade on a grassy bank where the sun shone upon him freely, and he was beyond the reach of the spray. Captain Bill now knelt down and examined the straw that the scarecrow was stuffed with. "'I don't believe it'll be of much use to him any more,' said he.

"'Bore it's full of pala-wogs and fish-egs, and the water has took all the crinkle out of the straw and ruined it. I guess, Trot, that the best thing for us to do is to empty out all his body and carry his head and clothes along the road, till we come to a field or a house where we can get some fresh straw.' "'Yes, cap'n,' she agreed. "'There's nothing else to be done. but how shall we ever find the road to Glendos palace without the scarecrow to guide us?' "'That's easy,' said the scarecrow, speaking in a rather feeble but distinct voice. "'If Captain Bill will carry my head on his shoulders' eyes front, I can tell him which way to go.'

So they followed that plan and emptied all the old wet straw out of the scarecrow's body. Then the sailor-man wrung out the clothes and laid them in the sun till they were quite dry. Trot took charge of the head and pressed the wrinkles out of the face as it dried, so that after a while the scarecrow's expression became natural again and as jolly as before. This work consumed some time, but when it was completed they again started upon their journey, button-bright carrying the boots and hat trot the bundle of clothes and cap'n bill the head the scarecrow having regained his composure and being now in a good humor despite his recent mishaps beguile their way with stories of the land of oz it was not until the next morning however that they found straw with which to restuff the scarecrow that evening they came to the same little house they had slept in before only now it was magically transferred to a new place the same bountiful supper as before was found smoking hot upon the table and the same cozy beds were ready for them to sleep in they rose early and after breakfast went out of doors and there lying just beside the house was a heap of clean crisp straw

ozma had noticed the scarecrow's accident in her magic picture and had notified the wizard to provide the straw for she knew the adventurers were not likely to find straw in the country through which they were now traveling they lost no time in stuffing the scarecrow anew and he was greatly delighted at being able to walk around again and to assume the leadership of the little party really said trot i think you're better than you were before for you're better than you were before for you're You are fresh and sweet all through, and rustle beautifully when you move. "'Thank you, my dear,' he said gratefully. "'I always feel like a new man when I'm freshly stuffed. No one likes to get musty, you know, and even good straw may be spoiled by age.' "'It was the water that spoiled you the last time,' remarked Buttonbright, which proves that too much bathing is as bad as too little, but after all.

Scarecrow, water is not as dangerous for you as fire. All things are good in moderation, declared the scarecrow. But now let us hurry on or we shall not reach Glendous Palace by Nightfall. End of Chapter 23. Chapter 24 of the Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 24 The Royal Reception At about four o'clock of that same day the red wagon drew up at the entrance to Glendez Palace,

and Dorothy and Betsy jumped out. Osma's red wagon was almost a chariot, being inlaid with rubies and pearls, and it was drawn by Osma's favorite steed, the wooden saw-horse. Shall I unharness you? asked dorothy so you can come in and visit no replied the source i'll just stand here and think take your time thinking doesn't seem to bore me at all what will you think of inquired betsy of the acorn that grew the tree from which i was made so they left the wooden animal and went in to see glinda who welcomed the little girls in her most cordial manner i knew you were on your way said the good sorceress when they were seated in her library for i learned from my record-book that you intended to meet trot and button-bright on their arrival here is the strange little girl named trot asked dorothy yes and her companion the old sailor is named cap'n bill i think we shall like them very much

for they are just the kind of people to enjoy and appreciate our fairyland and i do not see any way at present for them to return again to the outside world well there's room enough here for them i'm sure said dorothy betsy and i are already eager to welcome trot it will keep us busy for a year at least showing her all the wonderful things in oz glinda smiled i have lived here many years said she and i have not seen all the wonders of oz yet meanwhile the travelers were drawing near to the palace and when they first caught sight of its towers trot realized that it was far more grand and imposing than the king's castle in jinxland the nearer they came the more beautiful the palace appeared and when finally the scarecrow led them up the scarecrow led them up the king's castle in jinxland the nearer they came the more beautiful the palace appeared and when finally the scarecrow led them up the great marble steps. Even Button-bright was filled with awe. "'I don't see any soldiers to guard the place,' said the little girl. "'There is no need to guard Glenda's palace,' replied the scarecrow. "'We have no wicked people in Oz that we know of, and even if there were any,

Glenda's magic would be powerful enough to protect her. Button-bright was now standing on the top steps of the entrance, and he suddenly exclaimed, Why, there's the saw-horse and the red wagon. Hip! Hooray! And next moment he was hurrying down to throw his arms around the neck of the wooden horse, which good-naturedly permitted this familiarity when it recognized in the boy an old friend. Button-bright's shout had been heard inside the palace, So now Dorothy and Betsy came running out to embrace their beloved friend the scarecrow,

and to welcome Trot and Cap'n Bill to the Land of Oz. We've been watching you for a long time in Asma's magic picture, said Dorothy, and Asma has sent us to invite you to her own palace in the Emerald City. I don't know if you realize how lucky you are to get that invitation, but you'll understand it better after you've seen. seen the royal palace and the Emerald City. Glenda now appeared in person to lead all the party into her azure reception-room. Trot was a little afraid of the stately sorceress, but gained courage by holding fast to

the hands of Betsy and Dorothy. Captain Bill had no one to help him feel at ease, so the old sailor sat stiffly on the edge of his chair, and said, Yes, ma'am. Or no ma'am. when he was spoken to, and was greatly embarrassed by so much splendor. The scarecrow had lived so much in palaces that he felt quite at home, and he chatted to Glenda and the Oz girls in a merry, light-hearted way. He told all about his adventures in Jinksland, and at the great waterfall, and on the journey hither, most of which his ears

knew already, and then he asked Dorothy and Betsy what had happened in the Emerald City since he had left there. They all passed the evening and the night at Glendous Palace, and the sorceress was so gracious to Captain Bill that the old man, by degrees, regained his self-possession and began to enjoy himself. Trot had already come to the conclusion that in Dorothy and Betsy, she had found two delightful comrades, and Buttonbright was just as much at home here as he had been in the fields of Jinksland, or when he was buried in the popcorn snow of the land of Mo. The next morning they arose bright and early, and after breakfast bade goodbye to the kind sorceress, whom Trot and Captain Bill thanked earnestly for sending the scarecrow to Jinksland

to rescue them. Then they all climbed into the red wagon. There was room for all on the broad seats, and when all had taken their places, Dorothy, Trot, and Betsy on the rear seat, and Cap'n Bill, Buttonbright, and the scarecrow in front, they called, get-ap, to the saw-horse, and the wooden steed moved briskly away, pulling the red wagon with ease. It was now that the strangers began to perceive the real, beauties of the land of Oz, for they were passing through a more thickly settled part of the country, and the population grew more dense as they grew nearer to the Emerald City.

Everyone they met had a cheery word or a smile for the scarecrow, Dorothy and Betsy Bobbin, and some of them remembered Button Bright and welcomed him back to their country. It was a happy party indeed that journeyed in the red wagon to the emerald. city, and Trot already began to hope that Osma would permit her and Captain Bill to live always in the land of Oz. When they reached the great city, they were more amazed than ever, both by the concourse of people in their quaint and picturesque costumes, and by the splendor of the city itself. But the magnificence of the royal palace quite took their breath away, until Osma received them

in her own pretty apartment, and by her charming manners and assuring smiles, made them feel they were no longer strangers. Trot was given a lovely little room next to that of Dorothy, while Captain Bill had the coziest sort of room next to Trots and overlooking the gardens. And that evening, Asma gave a grand banquet and reception in honor of the new arrivals. While Trot had read of many of the people she then met, Captain Bill was less familiar with them, and many of the unusual characters introduced to him that evening caused the old sailor to open his eyes wide in astonishment.

He had thought the live scarecrow about as curious as anyone could be, but now he met the tin woodman, who was all made of tin even to his heart, and carried a gleamy animal. axe over his shoulder wherever he went. Then there was Jack Pumpkinhead, whose head was a real pumpkin with the face carved upon it, and Professor Wogglebug, who had the shape of an enormous bug, but was dressed in neat-fitting garments. The professor was an interesting talker, and had very polite manners, but his face was so comical that it made Captain Bill's smile to look at it. a great friend of dorothy and ozma seemed to be a machine man called tik-tock who ran down several times during the evening and had to be wound up again by someone before he could move or speak at the reception appeared the shaggy man and his brother both very popular in oz as well as dorothy's uncle henry and aunt em two happy old people who lived in a pretty cottage near the palace

but what perhaps seemed most surprising to both trot and cap'n bill was the number of peculiar animals admitted into osma's parlors where they not only conducted themselves quite properly but were able to talk as well as any one There was the cowardly lion, an immense beast with a beautiful mane, and the hungry tiger, who smiled continually, and Eureka the pink kitten, who lay curled upon a cushion, and had rather super-sillious manners, and the wooden saw-horse, and nine tiny picklets that belonged to the wizard, and a mule named Hank, who belonged to Betsy Bobbin. A fuzzy little terrier dog named Toto lay at dark. at his feet, but seldom took part in the conversation, although he listened to every word that was said.

But the most wonderful of all to Trot was a square beast with a winning smile that squatted in a corner of the room and wagged his square head at everyone in quite a jolly way. Betsy told Trot that this unique beast was called the Woozy, and there was no other like him in all the world. cap'n bill and trot had both looked around expectantly for the wizard of oz but the evening was far advanced before the famous little man entered the room but he went up to the strangers at once and said i know you but you don't know me so let's get acquainted and they did get acquainted in a very short time and before the evening was over trot felt that she knew every person and animal present at the reception and that they were all her good friends suddenly they looked around for button-bright but he was nowhere to be found dear me cried trot he's lost again never mind my dear said ozma with her charming smile no one can go far astray in the land of oz and if button-bright isn't lost occasionally he isn't happy end of chapter twenty-four end of the scarecrow of oz by l frank balm

Thank you.