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S ub je ct : 1 90 9 T he S ca re cr ow o f O z

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T he S ca re cr ow o f O z

BY L. FRA NK BAU M

(45,647 words)

P a g e 1



C HA PT ER 1

THE GREAT WHIRLPOOL

" Se ems t o me ," s ai d C ap' n B il l a s he s at b es id e T rot u nde r t he b ig ac ac ia t re e l oo ki ng o ut o ver t he

bl ue oc ean, " se em s t o m e, Tr ot , a s h ow t he mo re w e k no w, t he mo re w e f ind w e do n' t k now ."

" I c an 't q ui te m ak e t ha t o ut , C ap 'n B il l, " a ns we re d t he l it tl e g ir l i n a s er io us vo ic e a ft er a m om en t' s

t ho ug ht , d ur in g w hi ch h er e ye s f ol lo we d t ho se o f t he o ld s ai lo r m an a cr os s t he g la ss y s ur fa ce o f t he s ea .

"Seems to me that all we learn is jus' so mu c h g a in e d. "

" I k no w, i t l ook s t ha t w ay a t f ir st s ig ht ," s ai d t he s ai lo r, n od di ng h is h ea d, " bu t t ho se a s k no ws t he

l ea st h ave a ha bi t of t hi nk in ' t he y k no w a ll t he re i s t o k now , w hi le t he m a s k no ws t he m os t ad mi ts w ha t a

t ur r' bl e b ig w or ld t hi s i s. I t' s t he k no wi ng

o ne s t ha t r ea li ze o ne l if et im e a in 't l on g e no ug h t o g it m or e' n a f ew d ip s o ' t he o ar s o f k no wl ed ge ."

T ro t d id n' t a ns we r. S he w as a ve ry l it tl e g ir l w it h b ig , s ol em n e ye s a nd a n e ar ne st , s im pl e m an ne r.

C ap 'n B il l h ad b ee n h er f ai th fu l c om pa ni on f or y ea rs a nd h ad t au gh t h er a lm os t e ve ry t hi ng s he k ne w.

H e w as a w on de rf ul m an , t hi s C ap 'n B il l. N ot s o ve ry o ld , a lt ho ug h h is h ai r w as g ri zz le d- -w ha t t he re

was of i t. M os t of his head w as bal d as an egg and as s hiny as oil cl ot h, and t hi s made hi s big ear s s ti ck out

in a funny way. Hi s ey es had a gentl e lo

o k a nd w er e p al e b lu e i n c ol or , a nd h is r ou nd f ac e w as r ug ge d a nd b ro nz ed . C ap 'n B il l' s l ef t l eg w as m is si ng ,

f rom t he k ne e do wn, an d t hat w as wh y t he s ai lor no l onge r s ai le d t he s eas . T he w oo den l eg h e w or e w as

g oo d e no ug h t o s tu mp a ro un d w it h o n l an d,

o r e ve n t o t ak e T rot ou t f or a r ow or a s ai l on t he oc ean , bu t w he n i t c am e t o " ru nni n' up al of t" or pe rf or mi ng

a ct ive du ti es o n s hi pb oar d, t he ol d s ai lor w as n ot e qu al t o t he t as k. T he l os s o f h is l eg h ad r ui ned h is c ar ee r,

a nd t he o ld s ai lo r f ou nd c om

f or t i n d evo ti ng h im se lf t o t he e du ca ti on a nd c om pa ni on sh ip o f t he l it t le g ir l .

T he a cc id en t t o C ap 'n B il l' s l eg h ad h ap pe ne d a t a bo ut t he t im e T ro t w as b or n, a nd e ve r s in ce t ha t h e

h ad l ive d w it h T ro t' s m ot he r a s " a s ta r b oa rd er ," h avi ng e no ug h m on ey s ave d u p t o p ay f or h is w ee kl y " ke ep ."

He l oved t he baby and of te n hel d her o n hi

s l ap ; h er f ir st r id e w as o n C ap 'n B il l' s s ho ul de rs , f or s he h ad n o b ab y c ar ri ag e; a nd w he n s he b eg an t o t od dl e

a ro un d, t he c hi ld a nd t he s ai lo r m an b ec am e c l os e c om ra de s a nd e nj oy ed m an y s t ra ng e a dve nt ur es t og et he r.

I t i s s ai d t hat t he f ai ri es ha d b een

p r es e nt a t T r ot ' s b i rt h a nd h ad m ar k ed h er f o re he a d w i th t h ei r i n vi s i b le my s t i c s i g ns , s o t h a t s h e w a s a b l e t o

s ee a nd d o m an y w on de rf ul t hi ng s.The acacia tr ee was on top of a high bluff , but a path ran down the bank in a zigzag way t o t he

w at er 's e dge , w her e C ap 'n B il l's bo at w as mo or ed t o a r oc k by me an s o f a s tout c abl e. I t ha d be en a ho t,

s ul tr y a ft er no on w it h s ca rc el y a b re at h o f a ir s ti rr

i ng , s o C ap' n Bi ll an d T ro t had be en qu iet ly s it ti ng be ne at h t he s had e of t he t ree w ai ti ng f or t he s un t o g et l ow

e no ug h f or t he m t o t ak e a r ow . T he y h ad d ec id ed t o vi si t o ne o f t he g re at c ave s w hi ch t he w ave s h ad w as he d

o ut o f t he r oc ky c oa st d ur in g m an

y y ea rs o f s te ad y e ff or t. T he w ave s w er e a s ou rc e o f c on ti nu al d el ig ht t o b ot h t he g ir l a nd t he s ai lo r, w ho

l ove d t o e xp lo re t he ir a we so me d ep th s.

" I b'l ieve, C ap 'n ," r em ar ke d T ro t a t l as t, " th at i t' s t im e f or u s t o s ta rt ."

T he ol d ma n c as t a s hr ew d g la nc e a t t he s ky , t he s ea a nd t he m ot ion le ss b oat . Th en h e s hoo k h is

h ea d. " Me bb e i t' s t im e, T ro t, " h e a ns we re d, " bu t I d on 't j es ' l ik e t he l oo ks o f t hi ng s t hi s a ft er no on ."

" W ha t 's w r on g? " s h e a s ke d w o nd e ri n gl y ."C an't s ay as t o that . Thi ngs is t oo qui et t o sui t me, t hat 's al l. No br eez e, not a r ippl e at op t he

wave s, n ar y a g ul l a -f ly in ' a ny wh er e, a n' t he e nd o ' t he h ot te st d ay o ' t he y ea r. I a in 't n o w ea th er p ro ph et , T ro t,

b ut a ny s ai lo r w ou ld k no w t he s ig ns

i s o mi no u s. "

" The re 's n ot hi ng w ron g t hat I c an s ee ," s ai d T ro t. " If t her e w as a c lou d i n t he s ky eve n a s b ig a s m y

t hu mb, w e m ig ht w or ry a bou t i t; bu t- -l oo k, C ap' n- -t he s ky i s as c le ar a s c an b e. "

H e l oo ke d a ga in a nd n od de d. " P' r' ap s w e c an m ak e t he c ave a ll r ig ht ," h e a gr ee d, n ot w is hi ng t o

d is ap po in t h er . " It 's on ly a l it tl e w ay o ut , a n' w e' ll b e o n t he w at ch. S o c ome al on g, T ro t. "

T og et he r t he y d es ce nd ed t he w in di ng p at h t o t he b ea ch . I t w as n o t ro ub le f or t he g ir l t o k ee p h er

f oot ing on t he s te ep w ay , b ut C ap' n Bi ll , b ec aus e o f hi s w oo de n l eg, ha d t o ho ld on t o r oc ks an d r oot s n ow

a nd t he n t o s ave h ims el f f rom t umb li ng. O n a l e

ve l pa th h e w as a s s pr y as an yo ne , bu t t o c li mb up hi ll o r d ow n r eq ui re d s ome c ar e.

T he y r ea ch ed t he b oa t s af el y, a nd w hi le T ro t w as u nt yi ng t he r op e, C ap 'n B il l r ea ch ed i nt o a c re vi ce

of t he r oc k a nd dr ew ou t s eve ra l t al lo w c and le s an d a b ox o f w ax ma tc he s, w hi ch h e t hr us t i nt o t he c ap ac io us

p oc k et s o f h is " s ou 'w es t er . " T hi s s ou 'w es t e

P a g e 2



r w as a s ho rt c oat o f o il sk in w hi ch t he ol d s ai lo r w or e o n al l oc cas ions -- whe n he w or e a c oa t a t al l- -a nd t he

p oc k et s a l wa ys c o nt a in ed a va ri et y o f o bj ec ts , u se fu l a nd o rn am en ta l, w hi ch m ad e e ve n T ro t w on de r w he re

t hey al l c am e f rom an d w hy C ap' n B il l s ho

u ld t re as ur e t he m. T he j ac kk ni ve s- -a b ig o ne a nd a l it tl e o ne -- th e b it s o f c or d, t he f is hh oo ks , t he n ai ls , t he se

w er e h an dy t o h ave o n c er ta in o cc as io ns . B ut b it s o f s he ll a nd t in b ox es w it h u nk no wn c on te nt s, b ut to ns ,

p in ce rs , b ot tl es o f c ur io us s to ne s a

n d t he l i ke , s ee me d q ui t e u nn ec es s ar y t o c ar r y a ro un d. T ha t w as C ap 'n B i ll 's b us i ne ss , h ow eve r, a nd n ow

t ha t h e ad ded t he c and le s a nd t he ma tc hes t o h is c ol le ct io n, Tr ot m ad e n o c omm ent , f or s he k new t he se l as tw er e t o l ig ht t he ir w ay t hr ou gh t he c ave s.

T he s ai lo r a lw ay s r ow ed t he b oa t, f or h e h an dl ed t he o ar s w it h s tr en gt h a nd s ki ll . T ro t s at i n t he

s te rn a nd s te er ed . T he p la ce w he re t he y e mb ar ke d w as a l it tl e b ig ht -- or c ir cu la r b ay -- an d t he b oa t c ut a cr os s

a m uc h l ar ge r b ay t ow ar d a d is ta nt h ea dl an d

w he re t he c ave s w er e l oc at ed , r ig ht a t t he w at er 's e dg e. T he y w er e n ea rl y a m il e f ro m s ho re a nd a bo ut

h al fw ay a cr os s t he b ay w he n T ro t s ud de nl y s at u p s tr ai gh t a nd e xc la im ed , " Wh at 's t ha t, C ap 'n ?"

H e s to pp ed r ow in g a nd t ur ne d h al f a ro un d t o l oo k. " Th at , T ro t, " h e s lo wl y r ep li ed , " lo ok s t o m e

m ig ht y l i ke a w hi r lp oo l. "

" Wh at m ak es i t, C ap 'n ?"

" A w hi rl i n t he ai r ma ke s t he w hi rl i n t he w at er . I w as af ra id as w e' d me et w it h t rou bl e, Tr ot . Th ing s

d id n' t l oo k r ig ht . Th e a ir w as t oo s ti ll ."

" It 's c om in g c lo se r, " s ai d t he g ir l.

T he o ld m an g ra bb ed t he o ar s a nd b eg an r ow in g w it h a ll h is s tr en gt h. " 'T ai n' t c om in ' c lo se r t o u s,

T ro t, " he g as pe d. " It 's w e t ha t ar e c om in' c lo se r t o t he w hi rl po ol . T he t hi ng i s d raw in' us t o i t l ik e a ma gn et !"

T ro t' s s un -b ro nz ed f ac e w as a l it tl e p al er a s s he g ra sp ed t he t il le r f ir ml y a nd t ri ed t o s te er t he b oa t

aw ay , b ut s he s ai d not a w or d t o i ndi ca te f ea r. Th e s wi rl of t he w at er as t hey c ame ne ar er mad e a r oar in g

s ou nd t hat w as f ear ful t o l is ten t o. S o f i

e rc e a nd p ow er fu l w as t he w hi rl po ol t ha t i t d re w t he s ur fa ce o f t he s ea i nt o t he f or m o f a g re at b as in , s la nt in g

d ow nw ar d t ow ar d t he c en te r, w he re a b ig h ol e h ad b ee n m ad e i n t he o ce an -- a h ol e w it h w al ls o f w at er t ha t

w er e k ept i n pl ac e by t he r api d w hi rl

i ng of t he a ir .

T he b oa t i n w hi ch T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l w er e r id in g w as j us t o n t he o ut er e dg e o f t hi s s au ce r- li ke s la nt ,

a nd t he o ld s ai lo r k ne w ve ry w el l t ha t u nl es s h e c ou ld q ui ck ly f or ce t he l it tl e c ra ft a wa y f ro m t he r us hi ng

c ur re nt , t he y w ou ld s oo n b e d ra wn i nt o t he

g rea t bl ac k h ol e t hat y aw ned i n t he mi dd le . S o h e ex er te d al l h is m igh t an d p ul led a s he h ad n ever pull edb ef or e. H e p ul le d s o h ar d t ha t t he l ef t o ar s na pp ed i n t wo a nd s en t C ap 'n B il l s pr aw li ng u po n t he b ot to m o f

t he b oa t.

H e s cr am bl ed u p q ui ck ly e no ug h a nd g la nc ed o ve r t he s id e. T he n h e l oo ke d a t T ro t, w ho s at q ui te

s ti ll w it h a s er io us , f ar aw ay l oo k i n h er s wee t e yes . T he bo at w as n ow s pee di ng s wi ft ly o f i ts o wn a cc or d,

f ol lo wi ng t he l in e o f t he c ir cu la r b as in r ou nd a n

d r ou nd a nd g ra du al ly d ra wi ng n ea re r t o t he g re at h ol e i n t he c en te r. A ny f ur th er e ff or t t o e sc ap e t he w hi rl po ol

w as u se le ss , a nd r ea li zi ng t hi s f ac t, C ap 'n B il l t ur ne d t ow ar d T ro t a nd p ut a n a rm a ro un d h er a s i f t o s hi el d

h er f ro m t he a wf ul f at e b ef or e

t he m. H e d id n ot t ry t o s pe ak , b ec au se t he r oa r o f t he w at er s w ou ld h ave d ro wn ed t he s ou nd o f h is vo ic e.

T he se t wo f ai th fu l c om ra de s h ad f ac ed d an ge rs b ef or e, b ut n ot hi ng e qu al t o t ha t w hi ch n ow f ac ed

t he m. Y et C ap 'n B il l, n ot in g t he l oo k i n T ro t' s e ye s a nd r em em be ri ng h ow o ft en s he h ad b ee n p ro te ct ed b y

u ns ee n p ow er s, d id n ot q ui te g ive w ay t o d es pa ir . Th e g re at h ol e i n t he d ar k w at er -- no w g ro wi ng n ea re r a nd n ea re r- -l oo ke d ve ry t er r if yi ng , b ut t he y w er e b ot h

br ave e no ug h t o f ac e i t a nd a wa it t he r es ul t o f t he a dven tu re .

P a g e 3



C HA PT ER 2

T HE C AV ER N U ND ER T HE S EA

T he c ir cl es w er e s o m uc h s mal ler a t t he bo tt om o f t he ba si n a nd t he b oa t mo ve d s o m uc h mo re

s wi ft ly t ha t T ro t w as b eg in ni ng t o g et d iz zy w it h t he m ot io n w he n s ud de nl y t he b oa t m ad e a l ea p a nd d ived

h ea dl on g i nt o t he m ur ky d ep th s o f t he h ol e. W hi rl in g l i

k e t op s b ut s ti ll c li ng in g t og et he r, t he s ai lo r a nd t he g ir l w er e s ep ar at ed f ro m t he ir b oa t a nd p lu ng ed d ow n,

d ow n, d ow n i nt o t he f ar t he rm os t r ec es se s o f t he g re at o ce an . At first their fall was swift as an arrow, but presently they seemed to be going more moderately and

T ro t w as a lm os t s ur e t ha t u ns ee n a rm s w er e a bo ut h er , s up po rt in g h er a nd p ro te ct in g h er . S he c ou ld s ee

n ot hi ng b ec au se t he w at er f il le d h er e ye s a nd b lu

r re d h er vi si on , b ut s he c lu ng f as t t o C ap 'n B il l' s s ou 'w es te r, w hi le o th er a rm s c lu ng f as t t o h er , a nd s o t he y

g ra du al ly s an k d ow n a nd d ow n u nt il a f ul l s to p w as m ad e, w he n t he y b eg an t o a sc en d a ga in .

B ut i t s ee me d t o T rot t ha t t hey w er e n ot r is ing s tr ai gh t t o t he s ur fa ce f ro m w he re t hey ha d c ome .

T he w at er w as n o l on ge r w hi rl in g t he m, a nd t he y s ee me d t o b e d ra wn i n a s la nt in g d ir ec ti on t hr ou gh s ti ll , c oo l

o ce an d ep th s. A n d t he n- - in m uc h q ui ck er t i m

e t han I have t ol d i t- -u p t hey po ppe d t o t he s ur fac e an d w er e c as t at f ul l l en gt h up on a s and y be ac h, w her e

t he y l ay c ho ki ng a nd g as pi ng f or b re at h a nd w on de ri ng w ha t h ad h ap pe ne d t o t he m.

T ro t w as t he f ir st t o r ec ove r. D is en ga gi ng h er se lf f ro m C ap 'n B il l' s w et e mb ra ce a nd s it ti ng u p, s he

r ub be d t he w at er f ro m h er e ye s a nd t he n l oo ke d a ro un d h er . A s of t, b lu is h- gr ee n g lo w l ig ht ed t he p la ce ,

w hi ch s ee me d t o b e a s or t o f c ave rn , f or ab ove

a nd o n e it he r s id e o f h er w er e r ug ge d r oc ks . T he y h ad b ee n c as t u po n a b ea ch o f c le ar s an d, w hi ch s la nt ed

u pw ar d f ro m t he p oo l o f w at er a t t he ir f ee t- -a p oo l w hi ch d ou bt le ss l ed i nt o t he b ig o ce an t ha t f ed i t. Ab ove

t he r eac h of t he waves of t he po ol w e

r e r oc ks , a nd s ti ll m or e a nd m or e, i nt o t he d im w in di ng s a nd r ec es se s o f w hi ch t he g lo wi ng l ig ht f ro m t he

w at er d id n ot p en et ra te .

T he p la ce l oo ke d g ri m a nd l on el y, b ut T ro t w as t ha nk fu l t ha t s he w as s ti ll a li ve an d h ad s uf fe red n o

s e ve re i nj ur y d ur in g h er t r yi ng a dve nt ur e u nd er w at er . A t h er s id e, C ap 'n B il l w as s pu tt er in g a nd c ou gh in g,

t ry ing t o g et r id of t he w at er h e h ad s wal lo

w ed . B ot h o f t he m w er e s oa ke d t hr ou gh , y et t he c ave rn w as w ar m a nd c om fo rt ab le a nd a w et ti ng d id n ot

d is ma y t he l it tl e g ir l i n t he l ea st .

S he c ra wl ed u p t he s la nt o f s an d a nd g at he re d i n h er h an d a b un ch o f d ri ed s ea we ed , w it h w hi ch s he

mo pp ed t he f ac e o f C ap' n Bi ll a nd c le ar ed t he w at er f ro m h is e yes an d ear s. P res ent ly t he ol d ma n s at upa nd s ta re d a t h er i nt en tl y. T he n h e n od de d h is b

a ld h ea d t hr ee t im es a nd s ai d i n a g ur gl in g vo ic e, " Mi gh ty g oo d, T ro t, m ig ht y g oo d! W e d id n' t r ea ch D avy

J on es 's l oc ke r t ha t t im e, d id w e? T ho ug h w hy w e d id n' t a n' w hy w e' re h er e i s m or e' n I k in m ak e o ut ."

" Ta ke i t e as y, C ap 'n ," s he r ep li ed . " We 'r e s af e e no ug h, I g ue ss , a t l ea st f or t he t im e b ei ng ."

H e s que ez ed t he w at er ou t of t he b ot to ms of h is l oos e t ro us er s a nd f el t of hi s wo od en l eg and ar ms

a nd h ea d, a nd f in di ng h e h ad b ro ug ht a ll o f h is p er so n w it h h im , h e g at he re d c ou ra ge t o e xa mi ne c lo se ly t he ir

s ur r ou nd in gs . " Wh er e d 'y e t hi nk w e a re , T ro t

? " h e p re se nt ly a sk ed .

" Ca n' t s ay , C ap 'n . P 'r 'a ps i n o ne o f o ur c ave s. "

H e s hoo k h is h ead . " No, " s ai d h e, " I do n' t t hi nk t hat at al l. T he d is ta nc e w e c am e u p d id n' t s ee m

h al f a s f ar a s t he d is ta nc e w e w en t d ow n, a n' y ou 'l l n ot ic e t he re a in 't a ny o ut si de e nt ra nc e t o t hi s c avern

w ha te ve r. I t' s a r eg 'l ar d om e o ve r t hi s p oo lo ' w at er , a nd u nl es s t he re 's s om e p as sa ge a t t he b ac k, u p y on de r, w e' re f as t p ri so ne rs ."

T ro t l oo ke d t ho ug ht fu ll y o ve r h er s ho ul de r. " Wh en w e' r e r es t ed ," s he s ai d, " w e w il l c r aw l u p t he re a nd

see if t her e's a w ay to get out. "

C ap 'n B il l r ea ch ed i n t he p oc ke t of h is o il sk in c oat a nd t oo k o ut h is p ip e. I t w as s ti ll d ry , f or he k ep t

i t i n an oil sk in pouch w it h hi s t obacc o. H is mat ches wer e in a ti ght t in box , s o i n a f ew moments t he old

s ai l or w as s mo ki ng c on te nt ed ly . T r ot k n

e w i t h el ped h im t o t hi nk w he n h e w as i n an y d if fi cu lt y. A ls o, t he p ip e d id mu ch t o r es to re t he ol d s ai lor 's

c om po su re a ft er h is l on g d uc ki ng a nd h is t er ri bl e f ri gh t- -a f ri gh t t ha t w as m or e o n T ro t' s a cc ou nt t ha n h is o wn .

T he s an d w as d ry w he re t he y s at , a nd s oa ke d u p t he w at er t ha t d ri pp ed f ro m t he ir c lo th in g. Wh en

T ro t h ad s que ez ed t he w et out o f h er h ai r, s he b eg an t o f eel mu ch l ik e h er ol d s el f ag ai n. B y and b y t he y g ot

up on t he ir f eet an d c re pt u p t he i nc li ne t o t h

e s ca tt er ed b ou ld er s a bo ve . S om e o f t he se w er e o f h ug e s iz e, b ut b y p as si ng b et we en s om e a nd a ro un d

o th er s, t he y w er e a bl e t o r ea ch t he e xt re me r ea r o f t he c ave rn . " Ye s, " s ai d T ro t w it h i nt er es t, " he re 's a r ou nd

hole."

" An d i t' s b la ck a s n ig ht i ns id e i t, " r em ar ke d C ap 'n B il l.

P a g e 4



" Jus t t he s am e, " a ns we red t he g ir l, " we o ug ht t o ex pl or e i t an d s ee w her e i t go es , ' cau se i t' s t he on ly

p os s' bl e w ay w e c an g et ou t o f t hi s pl ac e. "

Cap'n Bill eyed t he hole doubtf ully . " It may be a way out o' here, Tr ot ," he s ai d, "but i t may be a way

i nt o a f ar w or se p la ce t ha n t hi s. I 'm n ot s ur e bu t o ur b es t p la n i s t o s ta y r ig ht he re. "

T ro t w as n' t s ur e, ei th er , w he n s he t hou gh t of i t i n t hat l igh t. A ft er a w hi le s he m ad e he r w ay b ac k t o

t he s an ds a ga in , a nd C ap 'n B il l f ol lo we d h er . A s t he y s at d ow n, t he c hi ld l oo ke d d ou bt fu ll y a t t he s ai lo r' s

bulging pockets.

" Ho w m uc h f oo d h ave w e g ot , C ap 'n ?" s he a sk ed ." Ha lf a d oz en s hi p' s b is cu it s a n' a h un k o ' c he es e, " h e r ep li ed . " Wa nt s om e n ow , T ro t? "

S he s ho ok h er h ea d, s ay in g, " Th at o ug ht t o k ee p u s a li ve ' bo ut t hr ee d ay s i f w e' re c ar ef ul o f i t. "

" Lo ng er 'n t ha t, T ro t, " s ai d C ap 'n B il l, b ut h is vo ic e w as a l it tl e t ro ub le d a nd u ns te ad y.

" But i f w e s tay he re , w e' re bou nd t o s ta rve i n t ime ," c on ti nue d t he gi rl , " whi le i f w e g o i nt o t he d ar k

hole--"

" So me t hi ng s a re m or e h ar d t o f ac e t ha n s ta rva ti on ," s ai d t he s ai lo r m an g ra ve ly . " We d on 't k no w

w hat 's i ns ide t ha t d ar k ho le, T rot , no r w her e i t m ig ht l ea d us t o. "

" Th er e' s a w ay t o f in d t ha t o ut ," s he p er si st ed .

I ns te ad o f r ep ly in g, C ap 'n B il l b eg an s ea rc hi ng i n h is p oc ke ts . H e s oo n d re w o ut a l it tl e p ac ka ge o f

f is hh oo ks a nd a l on g l in e. T ro t w at ched h im j oi n t he m t og et her . T he n he c rep t a l it tl e w ay u p t he s lope a nd

t ur ned over a bi g r oc k. T wo or t hr ee s ma l

l c ra bs beg an s cu rr yi ng a way over t he s ands a nd t he s ai lor c aug ht t hem a nd pu t on e on hi s h ook a nd t he

o th er s i n h is po ck et . C om in g b ac k t o t he p oo l, he s wu ng t he ho ok o ver h is s ho ul der a nd c ir cl ed i t a ro un d hi s

h ea d an d c as t i t ne ar ly i nt o t he c en ter o f

t he w at er , w her e he a ll ow ed i t t o s ink g ra dua ll y, p ay in g ou t t he l in e as f ar a s i t w oul d g o. W he n t he e nd w as

r ea ch ed , h e b eg an d ra wi ng i t i n a ga in u nt il t he c ra b b ai t w as f lo at in g o n t he s ur fa ce .

T ro t w at che d hi m c as t t he l ine a s ec ond t ime , an d a t hi rd. S he de ci ded t ha t ei the r t her e w er e n o

f is hes i n t he p ool or t hey w oul d no t bi te t he c ra b ba it . B ut C ap' n B il l w as an o ld f is he rm an a nd no t ea si ly

d is co ur ag ed . W h en t he c ra b g ot a wa y, h e p ut a n

ot he r on t he hoo k. W he n t he c ra bs w er e a ll gon e, h e c li mb ed up t he r oc ks an d f ou nd s ome mo re .

M ea nt im e, T ro t t ir ed o f w at ch in g h im a nd l ay d ow n u po n t he s an ds , w he re s he f el l f as t a sl ee p.

D ur in g t he n ex t t wo h ou rs h er c lo th in g d ri ed c om pl et el y, a s d id t ha t o f t he o ld s ai lo r. T he y w er e b ot h s o u se d

t o s al t w at er t hat t her e w as no da ng er of t ak in

g c ol d.

F in al ly t he l it tl e g ir l w as w ak en ed b y a s pl as h b es id e h er a nd a g ru nt o f s at is fa ct io n f ro m C ap 'n B il l.S he o pe ne d h er e ye s t o f in d t ha t t he C ap 'n h ad l an de d a s il ve r- sc al ed f is h w ei gh in g a bo ut t wo p ou nd s. T hi s

c h ee r ed h er c on s id er a bl y , a nd s h e h ur r ie d

t o s cr ape t oge th er a he ap o f s eaw eed w hi le C ap 'n B il l c ut u p t he f is h w it h hi s j ac kk ni fe a nd go t i t r ea dy f or

c oo ki ng . T he y h ad c oo ke d f is h w it h s ea we ed b ef or e. C ap 'n B il l w ra pp ed h is f is h i n s om e o f t he w ee d a nd

di pp ed i t i n t he w at er t o d am pe n i t. T

h en h e l ig ht ed a m at ch a nd s et f ir e t o T ro t' s h ea p, w hi ch s pe ed il y b ur ne d d ow n t o a g lo wi ng b ed o f a sh es .

T he n t he y l ai d t he w ra pp ed f is h o n t he a sh es , c ove re d i t w it h m or e s ea we ed , a nd a ll ow ed t hi s t o c at ch f ir e

a nd b ur n t o e mb er s. A ft er f ee di ng t he f i

r e w it h s ea we ed f or s om e t im e, t he s ai lo r f in al ly d ec id ed t ha t t he ir s up pe r w as r ea dy , s o h e s ca tt er ed t he

a sh es a nd d re w o ut t he b it s o f f is h s ti ll e nc as ed i n t he ir s mo ki ng w ra pp in gs . W he n t he se w ra pp in g w er e

r em ove d, t he f is h w as f ou nd t ho ro ug hl y c oo ke

d , a nd b ot h T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l a te o f i t f re el y. I t h ad a s li gh t f la vo r o f s ea we ed a nd w ou ld h ave b ee n b et te r w it h a s pr in kl in g o f s al t.

T he s of t g lo w w hi ch u nt il n ow h ad l ig ht ed t he c ave rn b eg an t o g ro w d im , b ut t he re w as a g re at

q ua nt it y o f s eaw eed i n t he pl ac e, s o a ft er t hey h ad e at en t hei r f is h, t he y k ep t t he f ir e a li ve f or a t im e b y gi ving

i t a ha ndf ul of f uel now an d t hen. Fr om an

i nn er p oc ke t t he s ai lo r d re w a s ma ll f la sk o f b at te re d m et al , a nd u ns cr ew in g t he c ap h an de d i t t o T ro t. S he

t oo k b ut o ne s wa ll ow o f t he w at er , a lt ho ug h s he w an te d m or e, a nd s he n ot ic ed t ha t C ap 'n B il l m er el y w et h is

lips with it.

" S' po se ," s ai d s he , s ta ri ng a t t he g lo wi ng s ea we ed f ir e a nd s pe ak in g s lo wl y, " th at w e c an c at ch a ll

t he f is h w e n ee d. Ho w ' bo ut t he d ri nk in g w at er , C ap 'n ?"

H e m ove d u ne as il y, b ut d id n ot r ep ly . Bo th o f t he m w er e t hi nk in g a bo ut t he d ar k h ol e, b ut w hi le T ro t

h ad l it tl e f ea r o f i t, t he ol d ma n c oul d no t over com e h is d is li ke t o e nt er t he p la ce . H e k ne w t hat Tr ot w as

r ig ht , t ho ug h. T o r em ai n i n t he c aver n wh e

r e t he y no w w er e c oul d o nl y r es ul t i n s low bu t s ur e de at h.

I t w as n ig ht ti me u p o n t he e ar th 's s ur fa ce , s o t he l it tl e g ir l b ec am e d ro ws y a nd s oo n f el l a sl ee p. A ft er

a t im e, t he o ld s ai lo r s lu mb er ed o n t he s an ds b es id e h er . I t w as ve ry s ti ll a nd n ot hi ng d is tu rb ed t he m f or

P a g e 5



h ou rs . W he n a t l as t t he y a wo ke , t he c av

e rn w as l ig ht a ga in .

T hey ha d di vi de d o ne o f t he b is cu it s a nd w er e m un ch in g i t f or b re ak fa st w he n t he y w er e s ta rt le d b y a

s ud de n s pl as h i n t he p oo l. L oo ki ng t ow ar d i t, t he y s aw e me rg in g f ro m t he w at er t he m os t c ur io us c re at ur e

e it he r o f t he m h ad e ve r b eh el d. I t w as n' t a f is

h , T ro t d ec id ed , n or w as i t a b ea st . I t h ad w in gs , t ho ug h, a nd q ue er w in gs t he y w er e: s ha pe d l ik e a n i nver te d

c ho pp in g b ow l a nd c ove re d w it h t ou gh s ki n i ns te ad o f f ea th er s. I t h ad f ou r l eg s- -m uc h l ik e t he l eg s o f a s to rk ,

o nl y d ou bl e t he n um be r- -a nd i tsh ea d w as s ha pe d a g oo d d ea l l ik e t ha t o f a p ol l p ar ro t, w it h a b ea k t ha t c ur ved do wnw ar d i n f ro nt a nd up war d

at the edges, and was half bill and half mout h. But t o call it a bi rd was out of the quest ion, because it had no

f ea th er s w ha te ve r e x ce pt a c r es

t of w avy pl ume s o f a s ca rl et c ol or o n t he ver y t op o f i ts h ea d. T he s tr an ge c rea tur e mu st ha ve wei ghed as

m uc h a s C ap 'n B il l, a nd as i t f lou nd er ed an d s tr ugg le d t o g et o ut o f t he w at er t o t he s and y be ac h, i t w as s o

b ig a nd u nu su al t ha t b ot h T ro t a nd h er

c om pa ni on s ta re d a t i t i n w on de r- -i n w on de r t ha t w as n ot u nm ix ed w it h f ea r.

P a g e 6



C HA PT ER 3

T HE O RK

T he e ye s t ha t r eg ar de d t he m a s t he c re at ur e s to od d ri pp in g b ef or e t he m w er e b ri gh t a nd m il d i n

e xp re ss io n, a nd t he q ue er a dd it io n t o t he ir p ar ty m ad e n o a tt em pt t o a tt ac k t he m a nd s ee me d q ui te a s

s ur pr is ed b y t he m ee ti ng a s t he y w er e.

" I w on de r, " w hi sp er ed T ro t, " wh at i t i s. "

" Wh o, m e? " e xc la im ed t he c re at ur e i n a s hr il l, h ig h- pi tc he d vo ic e. " Wh y, I 'm a n O rk ."" Oh !" s ai d t he g ir l. " B ut w hat i s a n O rk ?"

" I a m, " he r ep ea te d, a l it tl e p ro udl y, as he s ho ok t he w at er f ro m hi s f unn y w ing s, " an d i f ever an Or k

w as g lad t o be ou t of t he w at er a nd o n d ry l and a ga in, y ou c an b e s ur e t hat I 'm t ha t es pec ial , i ndi vid ual Or k! "

" Have y ou b ee n i n t he w at er l on g? " i nq ui re d C ap 'n B il l, t hi nk in g i t o nl y p ol it e t o s ho w a n i nt er es t i n

t h e s t r an g e c r ea t ur e .

" Wh y, t hi s l as t d un ki ng w as a bo ut t en m in ut es , I b el ie ve , a nd t ha t' s a bo ut n in e m in ut es a nd s ix ty

s ec on ds t oo l on g f or c omf or t, " w as t he r ep ly . " Bu t l as t ni gh t I w as i n a n a wf ul p ic kl e, I a ss ur e y ou. T he

w h ir l po ol c a ug ht m e , a nd - -"

" Oh , w er e y ou i n t he w hi rl po ol , t oo ?" a sk ed T ro t e ag er ly .

H e g ave h er a g la nc e t ha t w as s om ew ha t r ep ro ac hf ul . " I b el ie ve I w as m en ti on in g t he f ac t, y ou ng

l ad y, w he n y ou r d es ir e t o t al k i nt er ru pt ed m e, " s ai d t he O rk . " I a m n ot us ua ll y c ar el es s i n m y a ct io ns , b ut

t ha t w hi rl po ol w as s o b us y y es te rd ay t ha t I t ho u

ght I 'd see what mi schief it was up t o. So I flew a lit tle t oo near i t, and t he suc tion of the ai r dr ew me down

i nt o t he d ep th s o f t he o ce an . W at er a nd I a re n at ur al e ne mi es , a nd i t w ou ld h ave c on qu er ed m e t hi s t im e h ad

n ot a b evy o f p re tt y m er ma id s c om

e t o m y a ss is ta nc e a nd d ra gg ed m e a wa y f ro m t he w hi rl in g w at er a nd f ar u p i nt o a c ave rn , w he re t he y

d e se r t ed m e ."

" Wh y, t ha t' s a bo ut t he s am e t hi ng t ha t h ap pe ne d t o u s, " c ri ed T ro t. " Wa s y ou r c ave rn l ik e t hi s o ne ?"

" I have n' t ex am in ed t hi s o ne y et ," an sw er ed t he Or k, " bu t i f t hey ha ppe n t o b e al ik e, I s hu dd er a t ou r

f at e, f or t he o th er o ne w as a pr is on w it h n o ou tl et ex ce pt b y m ea ns o f t he w at er . I s ta ye d t her e a ll n ig ht ,

ho we ve r, a nd t hi s m or ni ng I p lu ng ed i nt o t

he pool as far down as I c oul d go and t hen s wam as hard and as far as I could. The r ock s sc raped my back

n ow an d t hen , an d I ba re ly es ca pe d t he c lu tc he s o f an u gl y s ea m on st er , bu t by a nd b y I c am e t o t he s ur fa ce

t o c at ch m y b re at h a nd f ou nd m ys el f h er e.

T ha t' s t he w ho le s to ry , an d as I s ee y ou h ave s om et hi ng t o e at , I en tr ea t y ou t o g ive m e a s har e o f i t. Thet r ut h i s , I 'm h al f s t ar ve d. "

W it h t he se w or ds , t he O rk s qu at te d d ow n b es id e t he m. V er y r el uc ta nt ly , C ap 'n B il l d re w a no th er

b is cu it f ro m h is p oc ket a nd h el d i t o ut . T he Or k p rom pt ly s ei ze d i t i n on e o f i ts f ro nt c law s an d b eg an t o

n ib bl e t he b is cu it i n m uc h t he s am e m an ne r a p ar ro

t m ig ht h ave d on e.

" We h ave n' t m uc h g ru b, " s ai d t he s ai lo r m an , " bu t w e' re w il li n' t o s ha re i t w it h a c om ra de i n d is tr es s. "

" Th at 's r ig ht ," r et ur ne d t he O rk , c oc ki ng i ts h ea d s id ew is e i n a c he er fu l m an ne r, a nd t he n f or a f ew

m in ut es t her e w as s il en ce w hi le t he y a ll a te o f t he b is cu it s. A ft er a w hi le , T ro t s ai d,

" I' ve ne ve r s ee n o r h ea rd o f a n O rk b ef or e. A re t he re m an y o f y ou ?"

" We a re r at he r f ew a nd e xc lu si ve , I b el ie ve ," w as t he r ep ly . " In t he c ou nt ry w he re I w as b or n, w e a re

t he a bs ol ut e r ul er s o f a ll l ivi ng t hi ng s, f ro m a nt s t o e le ph an ts ."

" Wh at c ou nt ry i s t ha t? " a sk ed C ap 'n B il l."Orkland."

" Wh er e d oe s i t l ie ?"

" I d on 't k no w e xa ct ly . Y ou s ee , I ha ve a r es tl es s n at ur e f or s om e r ea so n, w hi le al l t he r es t o f my

r ac e a re q ui et a nd c on te nt ed O rk s a nd s el do m s tr ay f ar f ro m h om e. Fr om c hi ld ho od d ay s I l ove d t o f ly l on g

d i st a nc e s a w ay , a l th ou gh f a th er o f te n w a rn e d m e

t ha t I w oul d g et i nt o t ro ub le by s o do ing . 'I t' s a bi g w or ld , Fl ipp er , m y s on ,' h e w ou ld s ay , 'a nd I 've hea rd t hat

i n p ar ts o f i t l ive q ue er t wo -l eg ge d c re at ur es c al le d M en , w ho w ar u po n a ll o th er l ivi ng t hi ng s a nd w ou ld h ave

l it tl e r es pe ct f or e ve n a n O

r k. ' T hi s n at ur al ly a ro us ed m y c ur io si ty , a nd a ft er I h ad c om pl et ed m y e du ca ti on a nd l ef t s ch oo l, I d ec id ed t o

f ly ou t i nt o t he w or ld a nd t ry t o g et a gl imp se of t he c rea tu res c al led Me n. S o I l ef t ho me w it hou t s ay in g

g oo db ye , a n a ct I s ha ll a lw ay s r eg r

e t. A dve nt ur es w er e m an y, I f ou nd . I s ig ht ed m en s eve ra l t im es , b ut h ave n eve r b ef or e b ee n s o c lo se t o

t hem a s no w. Al so, I h ad t o f ig ht m y w ay t hr oug h t he a ir , f or I m et g ig an ti c bi rd s w it h f luf fy f eat he rs al l o ver

t he m, w hi ch a tt ac ke d m e f ie rc el y. B es

i de s, i t k ep t m e b us y e sc ap in g f ro m f loa ti ng a ir sh ips . I n my r am bl in g I ha d l os t a ll t rac k o f d is ta nc e o r

P a g e 7



di rec ti on , s o t hat w he n I w an ted t o go ho me I had no i dea w her e my c oun tr y w as l oc at ed . I 've now been

t ry in g t o f ind i t f or s eve ra l mo nt hs , a nd i t

w as d ur in g o ne o f m y f li gh ts o ve r t he o ce an t ha t I m et t he w hi rl po ol a nd b ec am e i ts vi c ti m ."

T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l l is te ne d t o t hi s r ec it al w it h m uc h i nt er es t, a nd f ro m t he f ri en dl y t on e a nd h ar ml es s

a pp ea ra nc e o f t he O rk t he y j ud ge d h e w as n ot l ik el y t o p ro ve s o d is ag re ea bl e a c om pa ni on a s a t f ir st t he y

had f ear ed h e mi gh t be. The Or k s at upon i

t s h aun ch es m uc h a s a c at d oes , b ut us ed t he f ing er -l ik e c la ws of i ts f ro nt l eg s al mos t a s c leve rl y a s i f t he y

w er e h an ds . P er ha ps t he m os t c ur io us t hi ng a bo ut t he c re at ur e w as i ts t ai l, o r w ha t o ug ht t o h ave b ee n i tst ai l. T hi s q ue er a rr an ge me nt o f s ki

n , b on es a nd m us cl e w as s ha pe d l ik e t he p ro pe ll er s u se d o n b oa ts a nd a ir sh ip s, h avi ng f an -l ik e s ur fa ce s a nd

b ei ng p ivo te d t o i t s b od y. C ap 'n B il l k ne w s om et hi ng o f m ec ha ni c s, a nd o bs er vi ng t he p ro pe ll er - li ke t ai l o f t he

Or k, he said, "I s'pose you'r e a p

r e tt y s w if t f l ye r ."

" Yes i nde ed , t he O rk s a re a dmi tt ed t o be K in gs o f t he A ir ."

" Yo ur w in gs d on 't s ee m t o a mo un t t o m uc h, " r em ar ke d T ro t.

" We ll , t he y a re n ot ve ry b ig ," a dm it te d t he O rk , w avi ng t he f ou r h ol lo w s ki ns g en tl y t o a nd f ro , " bu t

t hey s er ve t o s up po rt m y bo dy i n t he a ir w hi le I s pe ed al on g b y m ean s o f m y t ai l. S ti ll , t ak en a lt oge the r, I 'm

ve r y h a nd s om e ly f o rm e d, d o n' t y o u t h in k ?

"

T ro t di d no t l ik e t o r ep ly , b ut C ap 'n B il l s ai d g ra ve ly , " Fo r a n Or k, " s ai d h e, " yo u' re a w ond er . I 've

neve r s ee n o ne a fo re , b ut I c an i ma gi ne y ou 'r e a s g oo d a s a ny ."

T ha t s ee me d t o p le as e t he c re at ur e, a nd i t b eg an w al ki ng a ro un d t he c ave rn , m ak in g i ts w ay e as il y

up t he s lo pe . W hi le i t w as go ne , Tr ot an d C ap 'n B il l ea ch t oo k ano th er s ip f ro m t he w at er f las k t o w as h do wn

their breakfast.

" Wh y, h er e' s a h ol e- - an e xi t- - an o ut l et ! " e xc la im ed t he O rk f r om a bo ve .

" We k no w, " s ai d T ro t. " We f ou nd i t l as t n ig ht ."

" We ll , t he n, l et 's b e o ff ," c on ti nu ed t he O rk a ft er s ti ck in g i ts h ea d i nt o t he b la ck h ol e a nd s ni ff in g

o nc e o r t wi ce. " Th e a ir s eem s f re sh an d s we et , a nd i t c an 't l ea d u s t o an y w or se p la ce t ha n t hi s. "

T he g ir l a nd t he s ai lor m an g ot u p an d c li mb ed t o t he s id e of t he O rk . " We' d a lmo st d ec ide d t o

e xp lo re t hi s h ol e b ef or e y ou c am e, " e xp la in ed C ap 'n B il l, " bu t i t' s a d an ge ro us p la ce t o n avi ga te i n t he d ar k,

s o wai t t il l I l ight a c andle. "

" Wh at i s a c an dl e? " i nq ui re d t he O rk .

" Yo u' ll s ee i n a m in ut e, " s ai d T ro t.T he o ld s ai lo r d re w o ne o f t he c an dl es f ro m t he r ig ht -s id e p oc ke t a nd t he t in m at ch bo x f ro m h is l ef t

s id e p oc ke t. W he n h e l ig ht ed t he m at ch , t he O rk g ave a s ta rt le d j um p a nd e ye d t he f la me s us pi ci ou sl y, b ut

C ap 'n B il l p ro ce ed ed t o l ig ht t he c an dl e a nd t

h e a ct io n i nt er es te d t he O rk ve ry m uc h. " Li gh t, " i t s ai d s om ew ha t n er vo us l y, " i s va lu ab le i n a h ol e o f t hi s

s or t. T he c an dl e i s n ot d an ge ro us , I h op e. "

" So me ti me s i t b ur ns y ou r f in ge rs ," a ns we re d T ro t, " bu t t ha t' s a bo ut t he w or st i t c an d o- -' ce pt t o b lo w

o ut w he n y ou do n' t w an t i t t o. "

C ap' n B il l s hi el de d t he f lam e w it h hi s ha nd and c rept i nt o t he h ol e. I t w as n't an y t oo b ig f or a g ro wn

m an , b ut a ft er h e h ad c ra wl ed a f ew f ee t, i t g re w l ar ge r. T ro t c am e c lo se b eh in d h im , a nd t he O rk f ol lo we d.

" Se em s l ik e a r eg 'l ar t un ne l, " m ut te re d t

h e s ai lo r m an , w ho w as c re ep in g a lo ng a wk wa rd ly b ec au se o f h is w oo de n l eg . T he r oc ks , t oo , h ur t h is

k ne es . F or n ea rl y h al f a n h ou r t he t hr ee m ove d s lo wl y a lo ng t he t un ne l, w hi ch m ad e m an y t wi st s a nd t ur nsa nd s o me t im e s s l an t ed d ow n wa r d a n d s o me t im es u p w

a rd . Fi na ll y , C ap 'n B il l s t op pe d s ho rt , w i th a n e xc l am at i on o f d is ap po in tm en t, a nd h el d t he f l ic ke ri ng c an dl e

f ar a he ad t o l ig ht t he s ce ne .

" Wh at 's w r on g? " d em an de d T ro t, w ho c ou ld s ee n ot hi ng b ec au se t he s ai lo r' s f or m c om pl et el y f i ll ed

t he h ol e.

" Wh y, w e' ve c om e t o t he e nd o f o ur t ra ve ls , I g ue ss ," h e r ep li ed .

" Is t he h ol e b lo ck ed ?" i nq ui re d t he O rk .

" No, i t' s w us s no r t hat ," r ep li ed C ap 'n B il l s ad ly . " I' m o n t he e dg e o f a p rec ip ic e. W ai t a mi nu te an '

I 'l l m ove a lo ng a nd l et y ou s ee f or y ou rs el ve s. B e c ar ef ul , T ro t, n ot t o f al l. " T he n h e c re pt f or wa rd a l it tl e a nd

m ove d t o o ne s id e, h ol di ng t he c

an dl e s o t ha t t he gi rl c ou ld s ee t o f ol lo w h im. T he O rk c am e nex t, an d n ow al l t hr ee k ne lt o n a nar row l edg e

o f r oc k w hi ch d ro pp ed s tr ai gh t a wa y a nd l ef t a h ug e b la ck s pa ce w hi ch t he t in y f la me o f t he c an dl e c ou ld n ot

illuminate.

" Hm !" s ai d t he O rk , p ee ri ng o ve r t he e dg e. " Th is d oe sn 't l oo k ve ry p ro mi si ng , I 'l l a dm it . B ut l et m e

t ak e y ou r c an dl e, a nd I 'l l f ly d ow n a nd s ee w ha t' s b el ow u s. "

P a g e 8



" Ar en 't y ou a fr ai d? " a sk ed T ro t.

" Ce rt ai nl y I 'm a fr ai d, " r es po nd ed t he O rk . " Bu t i f w e i nt en d t o e sc ap e, w e c an 't s ta y o n t hi s s he lf

foreve r. S o a s I n ot ic e y ou po or c re at ur es c an no t f ly , i t i s m y du ty t o ex pl or e t he p la ce f or y ou ."

C ap 'n B il l h an ded t he Or k t he c andl e, w hi ch ha d n ow b ur ne d t o a bou t hal f i ts l en gt h. Th e O rk t oo k i t

i n o ne c la w r at he r c au ti ou sl y a nd t he n t ip pe d h is b od y f or wa rd a nd s li pp ed o ve r t he e dg e. T he y h ea rd a q uee r

b uz zi ng s ou nd a s t he t ai l r evo lve d a nd a b

r is k f la pp in g o f t he p ec ul ia r w in gs , b ut t he y w er e m or e i nt er es te d j us t t he n i n f ol lo wi ng w it h t he ir e ye s t he t in y

s pe ck o f l ig ht w hi ch m ar ke d t he l oc at io n o f t he c an dl e. T hi s l ig ht f ir st m ad e a g re at c ir cl e, t he n d ro pp eds l ow l y d ow nw a rd a nd s u dd en l y w a s

e x t in g ui s he d , l e avi n g e ve r yt h i ng b e fo r e t h em b l ac k a s i n k .

" Hi t he re ! H ow d id t ha t h ap pe n? " c ri ed t he O rk .

" It b le w o ut , I g ue ss ," s ho ut ed C ap 'n B il l. " Fe tc h i t h er e. "

" I c an 't s ee w her e y ou a re, " s ai d t he Or k. S o C ap' n B il l g ot o ut an ot her c an dl e a nd l ig ht ed i t, an d i ts

f lam e en ab led t he O rk t o f ly ba ck t o t he m. I t a li ght ed o n t he e dg e an d h el d o ut t he b it of c and le .

" Wh at m ad e i t s to p b ur ni ng ?" a sk ed t he c re at ur e.

" Th e w in d, " s ai d T ro t. " Y ou m us t b e m or e c ar ef ul t hi s t im e. "

" Wh at ' s t he p la ce l i ke ?" i nq ui r ed C ap 'n B il l .

" I don't k now y et , but t her e must be a bott om t o it , s o I' ll t ry t o f ind i t. "

W it h t hi s, t he O rk s ta rt ed o ut a ga in , a nd t hi s t im e s an k d ow nw ar d m or e s lo wl y. D ow n, d ow n, d ow n

i t w ent t il l t he c and le w as a me re s pa rk , an d t hen i t he ad ed a way t o t he l ef t a nd T ro t an d C ap' n B il l l os t a ll

s ig ht o f i t. I n a f ew m inu te s, h ow eve r, t he y

s aw t he s pa rk o f l ig ht a ga in , a nd as t he s ai lo r s ti ll h el d t he s ec ond l ig ht ed c an dl e, t he O rk m ade s tr ai gh t

t ow ar d t hem . I t w as o nl y a f ew y ar ds di st an t w he n s ud de nl y i t dr oppe d t he c an dl e w it h a c ry o f p ai n a nd n ex t

m o me n t a l ig h te d, f l ut t e ri n g w i ld l y, u

p on t he r oc ky l ed ge .

" Wh at ' s t he m at t er ? " a sk ed T ro t .

" It bi t me !" w ai le d t he Or k. " I d on' t l ik e y our c an dl es . T he t hi ng be ga n t o di sap pea r s lo wl y a s s oon

a s I t oo k i t i n my c la w, a nd i t g rew s ma ll er a nd s ma ll er u nt il j us t n ow i t t ur ne d a nd bi t me -- a mo st un fr ien dl y

t hi ng t o do. Oh, oh! Ouch, what a bi t

e!"

" Th at 's t he n at ur e o f c an dl es , I 'm s or ry t o s ay ," e xp la in ed C ap 'n B il l w it h a g ri n. " Yo u h ave t o h an dl e

' em m ig ht y k ee rf ul . Bu t t el l u s, w ha t d id y ou f in d d ow n t he re ?"

" I f ou nd a w ay t o c on ti nu e o ur j ou rn ey ," s ai d t he O rk , n ur si ng t en de rl y t he c la w w hi ch h ad b ee nb ur ned . " Ju st be lo w us i s a gr eat l ak e o f bl ac k w at er , w hi ch l oo ke d s o c ol d a nd w ic ke d t ha t i t m ade m e

s hud de r. B ut a way a t t he l ef t t her e' s a bi g t unn el w h

i ch w e c an ea si ly w al k t hr oug h. I d on 't k now w her e i t l ea ds t o, o f c our se , bu t w e m us t f ol lo w i t an d f ind o ut ."

" Wh y, w e c an 't g et t o i t, " p ro te st ed t he l it tl e g ir l. "W e c an 't f ly a s y ou d o, y ou m us t r em em be r. "

" No , t ha t' s t ru e, " r ep li ed t he O rk m us in gl y. " Yo ur b od ie s a re b ui lt ve ry p oo rl y, i t s ee ms t o m e, s in ce

all you c an do is c rawl upon the eart h's sur face. But you may ri de upon my bac k, and in that way I can

p ro mi se y ou a s af e j ou rn ey t o t he t un ne l. "

" Ar e y ou s tr on g e no ug h t o c ar ry u s? " a sk ed C ap 'n B il l d ou bt fu ll y.

" Ye s i nde ed. I 'm s tr ong e nou gh t o c ar ry a do ze n o f y ou i f y ou c ou ld f in d a p la ce t o s it ," w as t he

r ep ly . " Bu t t he re 's on ly r oo m be tw ee n m y w ing s f or o ne a t a t ime , s o I 'l l ha ve t o m ak e t wo t ri ps ."

" Al l r ig ht . I 'l l g o f ir st ," d ec id ed C ap 'n B il l. H e l it a no th er c an dl e f or T ro t t o h ol d w hi le t he y w er e g on e

a nd t o l ig ht t he O rk o n hi s r et ur n t o he r, an d t hen t he ol d s ai lor go t up on t he O rk 's ba ck , w he re h e s at w it hh is w oo de n l eg s ti ck in g s tr ai gh t o

u t s i d ew i s e.

" If y ou s ta rt t o f al l, c la sp y ou r a rm s a ro un d m y n ec k, " a dvi se d t he c re at ur e.

" If I s ta rt t o f al l, i t' s g oo d n ig ht a n' p le as an t d re am s, " s ai d C ap 'n B il l.

" Al l r ea dy ?" a sk ed t he O rk .

" St ar t t he b uz z- ta il ," s ai d C ap 'n B il l w it h a t re mbl e i n h is vo ic e. B ut t he Or k f le w aw ay s o g ent ly t ha t

t he o ld m an n eve r eve n t ot te re d i n h is s ea t.

T ro t w at ch ed t he l ig ht o f C ap 'n B il l' s c an dl e t il l i t d is ap pe ar ed i n t he f ar d is ta nc e. S he d id n' t l ik e t o b e

l ef t a lo ne o n t hi s d an ge ro us l ed ge w it h a l ak e o f b la ck w at er h un dr ed s o f f ee t b el ow h er , b ut s he w as a b ra ve

l it tl e g ir l a nd w ai te d p at ie nt ly f

o r t he r et ur n o f t he Or k. I t c ame e ve n s oon er t han s he h ad ex pec ted , and t he c re at ur e s ai d t o he r, " You r

f ri end i s s af e i n t he t unn el . N ow t hen , ge t ab oa rd a nd I 'l l c ar ry y ou t o hi m i n a j if fy ."

I 'm s ur e n ot m an y l it tl e g ir ls w ou ld h ave c ar ed t o t ak e t ha t a wf ul r id e t hr ou gh t he h ug e b la ck c avern

on t he bac k of a s ki nny Ork . Tr ot di dn't car e f or it her self , but it just had t o be done, and s o s he did i t as

c ou ra ge ou sl y a s p os si bl e. H er h ea rt b ea

P a g e 9



t f as t, a nd s he w as s o n er vo us s he c oul d s ca rc el y ho ld t he c an dl e i n he r f in ger s a s t he O rk s pe d s wi ft ly

t hr ou gh t he d ar kn es s. I t s eem ed l ik e a l on g r ide t o he r, y et i n r ea li ty t he O rk c ove red t he di st anc e i n a

w on de rf ul ly b ri ef p er io d o f t im e, a nd s oo n

T ro t s to od s af el y b es id e C ap 'n B il l o n t he l eve l f lo or o f a b ig , a rc he d t un ne l. T he s ai lo r m an w as ve ry g la d t o

g re et h is l it tl e c om ra de a ga in , a nd b ot h w er e g ra te fu l t o t he O rk f or h is a ss is ta nc e.

" I d un no w he re t hi s t un ne l l ea ds t o, " r em ar ke d C ap 'n B il l, " bu t i t s ur el y l oo ks m or e p ro mi si n' t ha n t ha t

o th er h ol e w e c re pt t hr ou gh ."

" Wh en t he O rk i s r es te d, " s ai d T ro t, " we 'l l t ra ve l o n a nd s ee w ha t h ap pe ns ."" Re st ed !" c ri ed t he O rk a s s co rn fu ll y a s h is s hr il l vo ic e w ou ld a ll ow . " Th at b it o f f ly in g d id n' t t ir e m e a t

a ll . I 'm u se d t o f ly in g d ay s at a t ime w it ho ut ever o nc e s to pp in g. "

" Th en l et 's m ove o n, " p ro po se d C ap 'n B il l. H e s ti ll h el d i n h is h an d o ne l ig ht ed c an dl e, s o T ro t b le w

o ut t he o th er f lam e an d p lac ed h er c an dl e i n t he s ai lor 's bi g po ck et . S he k new i t w as no t w is e t o bu rn t wo

c an dl es a t o nc e.

T he t un ne l w as s tr ai gh t a nd s mo ot h a nd ve ry e as y t o w al k t hr ou gh , s o t he y m ad e g oo d p ro gr es s.

T ro t t ho ug ht t ha t t he t un ne l b eg an a bo ut t wo m il es f ro m t he c ave rn w he re t he y h ad b ee n c as t b y t he

w hi rl po ol , b ut n ow i t w as i mp os si bl e t o g ue ss t he m il es t ra v

e le d, f or t he y w al ke d s t ea di ly f or h ou rs a nd h ou rs w it ho ut a ny c ha ng e i n t he ir s ur r ou nd in g. F in al ly , C ap 'n B il l

s to pp ed t o r es t. " Th er e' s s om et hi n' q ue er a bo ut t hi s ' er e t un ne l, I 'm c er t ai n, " h e d ec la re d, w ag gi ng h is h ea d

d o le f ul l y. " H er e 's t h re e c a nd l e

s go ne a 'r ea dy , a n' on ly t hr ee m or e l ef t u s, y et t he t unn el 's t he s am e as i t w as w he n w e s tar te d. A n' ho w

l ong i t' s go in ' t o k eep u p, n o on e k now s. "

" Co ul dn 't w e w al k w it ho ut a l ig ht ?" a sk ed T ro t. " Th e w ay s ee ms s af e e no ug h. "

" It do es r ig ht n ow ," w as t he r epl y, " but w e c an 't t el l w hen w e ar e l ik el y t o c ome t o an ot her g ul f or

s om et hi n' j es ' a s d an ge ro us . I n t ha t c as e, w e' d b e k il le d a fo re w e k ne w i t. "

" Su pp os e I g o a he ad ?" s ug ge st ed t he O rk . " I d on 't f ea r a f al l, y ou k no w, a nd i f a ny th in g h ap pe ns , I 'l l

c al l o ut a nd w ar n y ou ."

" Th at 's a g oo d i de a, " d ec la re d T ro t, a nd C ap 'n B il l t ho ug ht s o, t oo . S o t he O rk s ta rt ed o ff a he ad , q ui te

i n t he da rk , a nd ha nd i n ha nd t he t wo f ol lo wed hi m. W he n t hey ha d w al ke d i n t hi s w ay f or a go od , l ong t ime ,

t he O rk h al te d a nd d em an de d f oo d. C ap 'n

B il l h ad n ot m en ti on ed f oo d b ec au se t he re w as s o l it tl e l ef t- -o nl y t hr ee b is cu it s a nd a l um p o f c he es e a bo ut

as bi g as hi s t wo f in ger s- -bu t h e gave t he Or k h al f of a b is cu it , s ig hi ng as h e di d s o. T he c rea tu re d id n' t c ar e

f or t he c hee se , s o t he s ai lo r d

i vi de d i t b et we en h im se lf a nd T ro t. T he y l ig ht ed a c an dl e a nd s at d ow n i n t he t un ne l w hi le t he y a te ." My f ee t h ur t me ," g ru mb led t he Or k. " I' m no t u sed t o w al ki ng , an d t hi s r oc ky pa ss ag e i s s o un even

and lumpy t hat it hur ts me t o wal k upon it ."

" Ca n' t y ou f l y a lo ng ?" a sk ed T ro t.

"N o, t he r oof i s t oo low ," said t he Or k.

After the meal they resumed their journey, which Trot began to fear would never end. When Cap'n

B il l n ot ic ed ho w t ir ed t he l it tl e g ir l w as , he pa us ed a nd l igh te d a m at ch a nd l ook ed a t h is b ig s il ver w at ch .

" Wh y, i t' s n ig ht !" h e e xc la im ed . " We 've t ra mp ed a ll d ay , a n' s ti ll w e' re i n t hi s a wf ul p as sa ge , w hi ch

m eb be g oe s s tr ai gh t t hr ou gh t he m id dl e o f t he w or ld , a n' m eb be i s a c ir cl e- -i n w hi ch c as e w e c an k ee p

w al ki n' t il l d oo ms da y. N ot k no wn ' w ha t' s b ef or e

u s s o w el l a s w e k now w ha t' s b eh ind u s, I p ro po se w e m ak e a s top n ow an ' t ry t o s le ep t il l m or ni n' ."

" Tha t w il l s ui t me ," a ss er te d t he Or k w it h a gr oa n. " My f eet a re hu rt in g me dr ea df ul ly , a nd f or t he l as t

f ew m il es I 've b ee n l im pi ng w it h p ai n. "" My f oo t h ur ts , t oo, " s ai d t he s ai lor , l oo ki ng f or a s mo ot h p lac e o n t he r oc ky f loo r t o s it d ow n.

" YOU R f oo t! " c ri ed t he O rk . " Wh y, y ou 've on ly on e t o hu rt y ou , w hi le I ha ve f our . So I s uff er f our

t imes as muc h as you poss ibl y c an. Her e, hol d t he candle whi le I l ook at t he bot toms of my cl aws . I

d ec l ar e, " h e s ai d, e xa mi ni ng t he m b y t h e f l ic k er i ng

l ig ht , " th er e a re b un ch es o f p ai n a ll o ve r t he m! "

" P' r' ap s, " s ai d T ro t, w ho w as ve ry g la d t o s it d ow n b es id e h er c om pa ni on s, " yo u' ve g ot c or ns ."

" Co rn s? N on se ns e! O rk s n eve r h ave c or ns , " p ro te st ed t he c r ea tu re , r ub bi ng i t s s or e f ee t t en de rl y .

" Th en m eb be t he y' re -- th ey 'r e- -W ha t d o y ou c al l ' em , C ap 'n B il l? S om et hi ng ' bo ut t he P il gr im 's

P r og re ss , y ou k no w. "

" B un i on s ," s a id C ap 'n B i ll .

" Oh y es , m eb be y ou 've g ot b un io ns ."

" It i s p os si bl e, " m oa ne d t he O rk . " Bu t w ha te ve r t he y a re , a no th er d ay o f s uc h w al ki ng o n t he m w ou ld

drive me crazy."

" I' m s ur e t he y' ll f ee l b et te r b y m or ni n' ," s ai d C ap 'n B il l e nc ou ra gi ng ly . " Go t o s le ep a n' t ry t o f or ge t

y ou r s or e f ee t. "

P a g e 1 0



T he O rk c as t a r ep ro ac hf ul l oo k a t t he s ai lo r m an , w ho d id n' t s ee i t. T he n t he c re at ur e a sk ed

p la in ti ve ly , " Do w e e at n ow , o r d o w e s ta rve ?"

" Th er e' s o nl y h al f a b is cu it l ef t f or y ou ," a ns we re d C ap 'n B il l. " No o ne k no ws h ow l on g w e' ll h ave t o

s ta y i n t hi s d ar k t un ne l w he re t he re 's n ot hi ng w ha te ve r t o e at , s o I a dvi se y o u t o s ave t ha t m or se l o ' f oo d t il l

later."

" Gi ve i t me n ow !" dem an ded t he Or k. " If I 'm g oi ng t o s tar ve , I 'l l do i t a t o nc e, no t by de gr ee s. "

C ap 'n B il l p ro du ce d t he b is cu it , a nd t he c re at ur e a te i t i n a t ri ce . T ro t w as r at he r h un gr y a nd

w hi sp er ed t o C ap 'n B il l t ha t s he 'd t ak e p ar t o f h er s ha re , b ut t he o ld m an s ec re tl y b ro ke h is o wn h al f- bi sc ui t i nt wo , s avi ng T ro t' s s ha re f or a t im e o f g re at

e r n ee d. H e w as b eg in ni ng t o b e w or ri ed o ve r t he l it tl e g ir l' s p li gh t, a nd l on g a ft er s he w as a sl ee p a nd t he O rk

w as s nor in g i n a r at he r di sag re ea bl e m an ne r, C ap' n B il l s at w it h hi s b ac k t o a r oc k a nd s mok ed hi s p ipe a nd

t ried t o thi nk of some way t o es c

a pe f ro m t hi s s ee mi ng ly e nd le ss t un ne l. B ut a ft er a t im e, h e a ls o s le pt , a nd t he re i n t he d ar k s lu mb er ed t he

t hr ee ad ve nt ur er s f or m an y h ou rs , u nt il t he O rk r ou se d i ts el f a nd k ic ke d t he o ld s ai lo r w it h o ne f oo t.

" It m us t b e a no th er d ay ," s ai d he .

P a g e 1 1



C HA PT ER 4

DAYLIGHT AT LAST

C ap 'n B il l r ubb ed h is e ye s, l it a m at ch a nd c on su lt ed h is w at ch . " Ni ne o 'c lo ck . Y es , I g ue ss i t' s

a no th er d ay , s ur e e no ug h. S ha ll w e g o o n? " h e a sk ed .

" Of c ou rs e, " r ep li ed t he O rk . " Un le ss t hi s t un ne l i s d if fe re nt f ro m e ve ry th in g e ls e i n t he w or ld a nd h as

no en d, w e' ll f ind a w ay o ut of i t s oone r or l at er ."

T he s ai lo r g en tl y w ak en ed T ro t. S he f el t m uc h r es te d b y h er l on g s le ep a nd s pr an g t o h er f ee te ag er ly . " Le t' s s ta rt , C ap 'n ," w as a ll s he s ai d.

Th ey r es um ed t he j our ney a nd h ad onl y t ak en a f ew s te ps w he n t he O rk c ri ed " Wo w! " an d ma de a

g re at f lu tt er in g o f i ts w in gs a nd w hi rl in g o f i ts t ai l. T he o th er s, w ho w er e f ol lo wi ng a s ho rt d is ta nc e b eh in d,

stopped abruptly.

" W ha t 's t h e m at t er ?" a sk ed C ap 'n B i ll .

" Gi ve u s a l igh t, " w as t he r ep ly . " I t hi nk w e' ve c om e t o t he e nd of t he t unn el ." T he n, w hi le C ap 'n B il l

l ig ht ed a c an dl e, t he c re at ur e a dd ed , " If t ha t i s t ru e, w e n ee dn 't h ave w ak en ed s o s oo n, f or w e w er e a lm os t a t

t he en d o f t hi s pl ac e w hen we w en t t o

sleep."

Th e s ai lor man and Tr ot c ame f or war d w it h a l ig ht . A w al l o f r oc k r eal ly f ac ed t he t unn el , b ut now

t hey s aw t ha t t he op eni ng ma de a s har p t ur n t o t he l ef t. S o t hey f ol low ed o n, by a n ar ro wer pa ss ag e, an d

t he n m ad e a no th er s ha rp t ur n- -t hi s t im e t o t he r

i gh t . " B lo w o ut t he l i gh t , C ap 'n , " s ai d t h e O r k i n a p le as ed vo i ce . " W e ' ve s t r uc k d ay l ig ht . "

D ay li gh t at l as t! A s ha ft o f me ll ow l ig ht f el l a lm os t at t hei r f eet a s Tr ot an d t he s ai lor t ur ned t he

c or ne r o f t he pas sage , b ut i t c ame f ro m a bo ve, a nd r ai si ng t he ir ey es t he y f ound t he y w er e a t t he bo tt om of a

de ep, r oc ky w el l, w it h t he t op f ar , f ar a

b ove t he ir h ea ds . A nd h er e t he p as sa ge e nd ed .

F or a w hi le t hey g az ed i n s il en ce, a t l ea st t wo of t he m b ei ng f il le d w it h d is may a t t he s ig ht . B ut t he

O rk m er el y w hi st le d s of tl y a nd s ai d c he er fu ll y, " Th at w as t he t ou gh es t j ou rn ey I e ve r h ad t he m is fo rt un e t o

u nd er t ak e, a nd I 'm g la d i t' s o ve r . Y e t, u

nl es s I c an ma na ge t o f ly t o t he t op of t hi s p it , w e ar e e nt om bed h er e f or eve r. "

" Do y ou t hi nk t he re i s r oom e nou gh f or y ou t o f ly i n? " a sk ed t he l it tl e g ir l an xi ou sl y, a nd C ap' n B il l

a dd ed , " It 's a s tr ai gh t- up s ha ft , s o I d on 't s ee h ow y ou 'l l e ve r m an ag e i t. "

" We re I a n o rd in ar y b ir d- -o ne o f t ho se h or ri d f ea th er ed t hi ng s- -I w ou ld n' t e ve n m ak e t he a tt e mp t t o f l y

o ut , " s ai d t he O rk . " Bu t m y m ec ha ni c al p ro pe ll er t ai l c an a cc om pl i sh w on de r s, a nd w he ne ve r y ou 'r e r ea dy I 'l ls ho w y ou a t ri ck t ha t i s w or th wh il e. "

" Oh !" e xc la ime d T ro t. " Do y ou i nt end t o t ak e u s up , t oo ?"

"Why not?"

" I t ho ugh t, " s ai d C ap 'n B il l, " as y ou 'd g o f ir st , a n' t he n s en d s ome bo dy t o h el p us b y l et ti n' d ow n a

rope."

" Ro pes ar e da nge ro us ," r ep li ed t he Or k, " an d I m igh t not b e a bl e t o f ind o ne t o r eac h a ll t hi s

d is ta nc e. B es id es , i t s ta nd s t o r ea so n t ha t i f I c an g et o ut m ys el f, I c an a ls o c ar ry y ou t wo w it h m e. "

" We ll , I 'm n ot a fr ai d, " s ai d T ro t, w ho l on ge d t o b e o n t he e ar th 's s ur fa ce a ga in .

" S' po se w e f al l, " s ug ge st ed C ap 'n B il l d ou bt f ul l y.

" Wh y, i n t hat c as e w e w ou ld a ll f al l t og et he r, " r et ur ne d t he O rk . " Ge t a bo ar d, l it tl e g ir l. S it a cr os s my

s ho ul de rs a nd p ut b ot h y ou r a rm s a ro un d m y n ec k. "

T ro t o be ye d, a nd w he n s he w as s ea te d o n t he O rk C ap 'n B il l i nq ui re d, " Ho w ' bo ut m e, M r. O rk ?""Why, I think you'd best gr ab hold of my r ear l egs and l et me c ar ry you up in that manner, " was the

reply.

C ap' n B il l l oo ke d w ay up a t t he t op o f t he w el l, a nd t hen h e l ook ed a t t he O rk 's s le nd er , s ki nny l egs

and heaved a de ep s ig h. " It 's g oi n' t o b e s ome da ng le , I gu es s, b ut i f y ou d on 't w as te t oo mu ch t im e on t he

way up, I may be able t o hang on," said he.

" Al l r ea dy , t he n! " c ri ed t he O rk , a nd a t o nc e h is w hi rl in g t ai l b eg an t o r evo lve . T ro t f el t h er se lf r is in g

i nt o t he a ir ; w he n t he c re at ur e' s l eg s l ef t t he g ro un d, C ap 'n B il l g ra sp ed t wo o f t he m f ir ml y a nd h el d o n f or d ea r

l if e. T he O rk 's b od y w as t ip pe

d s tr ai gh t u pw ar d, a nd T ro t h ad t o e mb ra ce t he n ec k ve ry t ig ht ly t o k ee p f ro m s li di ng o ff . E ve n i n t hi s

p os it io n, t he O rk h ad t ro ub le i n e sc ap in g t he r ou gh s id es o f t he w el l. S eve ra l t im es i t e xc la im ed " Wo w! " a s i t

b um ped i ts ba ck or a w ing h it ag ai ns t

s om e j ag ge d p ro je ct i on . Bu t t he t ai l k ep t w hi rl i ng w it h r em ar k ab le s wi f tn es s, a nd t he d ay li gh t g re w b ri gh te r

a nd b ri gh te r. I t w as , i nd ee d, a l on g j ou rn ey f ro m t he b ot to m t o t he t op , y et a lm os t b ef or e T ro t r ea li ze d t he y

had c ome s o f ar t he y poppe d out o f

P a g e 1 2



t he h ol e i nt o t he c le ar a ir a nd s un sh in e, a nd a m om en t l at er t he O rk a li gh te d g en tl y u po n t he g ro un d.

T he r el ea se w as s o s ud de n t ha t e ve n w it h t he c re at ur e' s c ar e f or i ts p as se ng er s, C ap 'n B il l s tr uc k t he

e ar th w it h a s ho ck t hat s ent hi m r ol li ng he el over h ea d. B ut by t he t im e Tr ot h ad s li d do wn f rom h er s eat , t he

o ld s ai lor ma n w as s it ti ng up an d l oo ki

n g a ro un d h im w it h m uc h s at is fa ct io n. " I t' s s or t o ' p re tt y h er e, " s ai d h e.

" Ea rt h i s a b ea ut if ul p la ce !" c ri ed T ro t.

" I w on de r w he re o n e ar th w e a re ?" p on de re d t he O rk , t ur ni ng f ir st o ne b ri gh t e ye a nd t he n t he o th er t o

t hi s s id e a nd t ha t. T r ee s t he re w er e, i n p le nt y, a nd s hr ub s a nd f lo we rs a nd g re en t ur f. B ut t he re w er e n oho us es , t her e w er e n o p at hs , t her e w as no s

i gn o f c ivi li za ti on w ha te ve r. " Ju st b ef or e I s et tl ed d ow n o n t he g ro un d, I t ho ug ht I c au gh t a vi ew o f t he o ce an ,"

s ai d t he O rk . " Le t' s s ee i f I w as r ig ht ." T hen h e f le w t o a l it tl e h il l n ea rb y, an d T rot an d C ap' n B il l f ol low ed

h im m or e s lo wl y. W he n t h

ey st ood on t he t op of t he hill , t hey could s ee t he bl ue waves of t he oc ean in fr ont of them, t o t he r ight of

t he m, a nd a t t he l ef t o f t he m. B eh ind t he hi ll w as a f or es t t ha t s hut ou t t he vie w.

" I h op e i t a in 't a n i sl an d, T ro t, " s ai d C ap 'n B il l g ra ve ly .

" If i t i s, I s 'p os e w e' re p ri so ne rs ," s he r ep li ed .

"Ezzackly so, Trot."

" B ut e ve n s o, i t' s b et te r t ha n t ho se t er r' bl e u nd er gr ou nd t un ne ls a nd c ave rn s, " d ec l ar ed t he g ir l .

" Yo u a re r ig ht , l it tl e o ne ," a gr ee d t he O rk . "A ny th in g a bo ve g ro un d i s b et te r t ha n t he b es t t ha t l ie s

u nd er gr ou nd . S o l et 's n ot q ua rr el w it h o ur f at e, b ut b e t ha nk fu l w e' ve e sc ap ed . "

" We ar e i nde ed !" s he r ep li ed. " But I w on de r i f w e c an f in d s om et hi ng t o e at i n t hi s pl ac e?"

" Le t' s e xp lo re a n' f in d o ut ," p ro po se d C ap 'n B il l. " Th os e t re es o ve r a t t he l ef t l oo k l ik e c he rr y t re es ."

On t he w ay t o t hem , t he e xp lor er s h ad t o w al k t hr oug h a t an gl e o f vi nes , an d C ap 'n B ill , w ho w ent

f ir st , s tu mb le d a nd p it ch ed f or wa rd o n h is f ac e. " W hy , i t' s a m el on !" c ri ed T ro t d el ig ht ed ly a s s he s aw w ha t

h ad c au se d t he s ai lo r t o f al l.

C ap 'n B il l r os e t o h is f oot , f or h e w as n ot a t a ll hu rt , an d ex ami ne d t he me lon . T he n he t oo k h is bi g

jackknife from his pocket and cut the melon open. It was quite ripe and looked delicious, but the old man

t as te d i t b ef or e h e p er mi tt ed T ro t t o e at a n

y . D ec id in g i t w as g ood , h e g ave her a bi g s li ce and t he n o ff er ed t he O rk s ome . T he c re at ur e l oo ked at t he

f ru it s om ew ha t d is da in fu ll y a t f ir st , bu t on ce he h ad t as te d i ts f la vo r, h e a te o f i t as h ea rt il y a s d id t he o th er s.

Among the vines they discove

r ed m an y o th er m el on s, a nd T ro t s ai d g ra te fu ll y, " We ll , t he re 's n o d an ge r o f o ur s ta rvi ng , e ve n i f t hi s I S a n

island."" Me lo ns ," r em ar k ed C ap 'n B il l, " ar e b ot h f oo d a nd w at er . W e c ou ld n' t h ave s t ru ck a ny t hi n g b et t er . "

Fa rt he r o n t he y c ame t o t he c he rr y t re es , w he re t hey ob ta ine d s ome o f t he f rui t, a nd at t he edg e of

t he l i tt l e f o re st w er e w i ld p lu ms . T he f or es t i t se lf c on si s te d a lm os t e nt i re ly o f n ut t r ee s- - wa ln ut s , f i lb er t s,

a lm on ds a nd c he st nu ts -- s o t he re w ou ld b e

p le nt y o f w ho le so me f oo d f or t he m w hi le t he y r em ai ne d t he re .

C ap' n B il l an d T ro t d ec ide d t o w al k t hr ough t he f or es t t o d is cover w ha t w as on t he o th er s ide o f i t, b ut

t he Or k' s f eet w er e s ti ll s o s or e an d " lu mp y" f rom w al ki ng on t he r oc ks , t hat t he c re at ur e s ai d he p re fe rr ed t o

f ly o ve r t he t re et op s a nd m ee t t he m o

n t he o th er s id e. T he f or es t w as n ot l ar ge , s o b y w al ki ng b ri sk ly f or f if te en m in ut es , t he y r ea ch ed i ts f ar th es t

ed ge a nd s aw b ef or e t hem t he s hor e of t he oc ea n. " It 's an i sl an d, a ll r ig ht ," s ai d Tr ot w it h a s ig h.

" Ye s, a nd a p re tt y i sl an d, t oo ," s ai d C ap 'n B il l, t ry in g t o c on ce al h is d is ap po in tm en t o n T ro t' s

a cc oun t. " I g ue ss , p ar tne r, i f t he w us s c om es t o t he w us s, I c ou ld b ui ld a r af t, or e ven a boa t, f rom t hos et re es , s o' s w e c ou ld s ai l a wa y i n i t. "

T he l it tl e g ir l b ri gh te ne d a t t hi s s ug ge st io n. " I d on 't s ee t he O rk a ny wh er e, " s he r em ar ke d, l oo ki ng

a ro un d. T he n h er e ye s l ig ht ed u po n s om et hi ng , a nd s he e xc la im ed , " Oh , C ap 'n B il l! I sn 't t ha t a h ou se o ver

t he re t o t he l ef t? "

C ap 'n B il l, l oo ki ng c lo se ly , s aw a s he d- li ke s tr uc tu re b ui lt a t o ne e dg e o f t he f or es t. " Se em s l ik e i t,

T rot . N ot t hat I 'd c al l i t m uc h o f a ho us e, b ut i t' s a bu il di n' , a ll r igh t. Le t' s g o o ve r a n' s ee i f i t' s o cc yp ie d. "

P a g e 1 3



C HA PT ER 5

T HE L IT TL E O LD M AN O F T HE I SL AN D

A few steps brought them to the shed, which was merely a roof of boughs built over a square space

w it h s om e b ra nc he s o f t re es f as te ne d t o t he s id es t o k ee p o ff t he w in d. T he f ro nt w as q ui te o pe n a nd f ac ed

t he s ea, and as ou r f ri ends c ame ne ar er , t hey ob

s er ve d a l it tl e m an w it h a l on g, p oi nt ed b ea rd s it ti ng m ot io nl es s o n a s to ol a nd s ta ri ng t ho ug ht fu ll y o ut o ver

t he w at er . "G et o ut o f t he w ay , p le as e, " h e c al le d i n a f re tf ul vo ic e. "C an 't y ou s ee y ou 'r e o bs tr uc ti ng m yview?"

" Go od m or ni ng ," s ai d C ap 'n B il l p ol it el y .

" It i sn 't a g oo d m or ni ng !" s na pp ed t he l it tl e m an . " I' ve s ee n p le nt y o f m or ni ng s b et te r t ha n t hi s. D o

y ou c al l i t a g ood m or ni ng w hen I 'm pe st er ed w it h s uc h a c row d as y ou ?"

T ro t w as a st on is he d t o h ea r s uc h w or ds f ro m a s tr an ge r w ho m t he y h ad g re et ed q ui te p ro pe rl y, a nd

C ap' n B il l g re w r ed a t t he l it tl e m an 's r ud en es s. B ut t he s ai lor s ai d i n a qu ie t t on e of vo ic e, " Ar e y ou t he o nl y

o ne a s l ive s o n t hi s ' er e i sl an d? "

" Yo ur g ram ma r' s b ad ," w as t he r ep ly . " Bu t t hi s i s m y o wn e xc lu si ve i sl an d, an d I 'l l t ha nk y ou t o g et

o ff i t a s s oo n a s po ss ib le ."

" We' d l ik e t o d o t hat ," s ai d T ro t, an d t he n s he an d C ap 'n B il l t ur ned aw ay a nd w al ked d ow n t o t he

s ho re t o s ee i f a ny o th er l an d w as i n s ig ht . T he l it tl e m an r os e a nd f ol lo we d t he m, a lt ho ug h b ot h w er e n ow

t oo pr ovo ke d t o p ay a ny a tt en ti on t o h im .

" No th in ' i n s ig ht , p ar tn er ," r ep or te d C ap 'n B il l, s ha di ng h is e ye s w it h h is h an d, " so w e' ll h ave t o s t ay

h er e f or a t im e, an yh ow . I t i sn 't a b ad pl ac e, T rot , by a ny m ean s. "

" Th at 's a ll y ou k no w a bo ut i t! " b ro ke i n t he l it tl e m an . " Th e t re es a re a lt og et he r t oo g re en , a nd t he

r oc ks a re h ar de r t ha n t he y o ug ht t o b e. I f in d t he s an d ve ry g ra in y a nd t he w at er d re ad fu ll y w et . E ve ry

b re ez e m ak es a dr af t, an d t he s un s hi nes i n t

he d ay ti me w he n t he re 's n o ne ed o f i t a nd d is app ea rs j us t as s oo n as i t be gi ns t o ge t da rk . I f y ou r em ai n

h er e, y ou 'l l f in d t he i sl an d ve r y u ns a ti s fa ct o ry . "

Tr ot t ur ned t o l oo k at hi m, an d h er s weet f ac e w as gr ave and c ur ious . " I w on der w ho y ou a re, " s he

said.

" My n am e i s P es si m, " s ai d he w it h an a ir of pr ide . " I' m c al le d t he O bs er ve r. "

" Oh . W h at d o y ou o bs er ve ?" a sk ed t he l it tl e g ir l.

" Eve ry th in g I s ee ," w as t he r ep ly i n a m or e s ur ly t one . T he n P es si m d rew b ac k w it h a s ta rt led

e xc la ma ti on a nd l oo ke d a t s om e f oo tp ri nt s i n t he s an d. " Wh y, g oo d g ra ci ou s m e! " h e c ri ed i n d is tr es s." Wh at 's t he m at te r n ow ?" a sk ed C ap 'n B il l.

" So me on e h as p us he d t he e ar th i n! D on 't y ou s ee i t? "

" It i sn 't p us he d i n f ar e no ug h t o h ur t a ny th in g, " s ai d T ro t, e xa mi ni ng t he f oo tp ri nt s.

" Eve ry th in g h ur ts t ha t i sn' t r igh t, " i ns is te d t he m an. " If t he ea rt h w er e p us he d i n a mi le , i t w ou ld b e a

g re at c al am it y , w ou ld n' t i t ?"

" I s 'p os e s o, " a dm it te d t he l it tl e g ir l.

" We ll , h er e i t i s pu sh ed i n a f ul l i nc h! T ha t' s a t wel ft h of a f oot , or a l it tl e m or e t ha n a m il li on th p ar t o f

a m il e. T he re fo re i t i s o ne -m il li on th p ar t o f a c al am it y- -o h d ea r! H ow d re ad fu l! " s ai d P es si m i n a w ai li ng vo ic e.

" Tr y t o f or ge t i t, s ir ," a dvi se d C ap 'n B il l s oo th in gl y. " It 's b eg in ni ng t o r ai n. L et 's g et u nd er y ou r s he d

a nd k ee p d ry ."

" Ra in in g! I s i t r e al ly r ai ni ng ?" a sk ed P es si m, b eg in ni ng t o w ee p.

" It i s, " an sw er ed C ap' n B il l as t he d ro ps b eg an t o d es cen d, " an d I d on 't s ee an y w ay t o s topi t -- a lt h ou gh I ' m s o me o bs e rve r m y s el f . "

" No , w e c an 't s to p i t, I f ea r, " s ai d t he m an . " Ar e y ou ve ry b us y j us t no w?"

" I w on 't b e af ter I ge t t o t he s he d, " r ep li ed t he s ai lor m an.

" Th en d o m e a f avo r, p le as e, " b eg ge d P es si m, w al ki ng b ri sk ly a lo ng b eh in d t he m, f or t he y w er e

h as t en in g t o t he s he d.

" De pe nd s o n w ha t i t i s, " s ai d C ap 'n B il l.

" I w is h y ou w ou ld t ak e my um br el la d ow n t o t he s hor e an d ho ld i t ove r t he p oo r f is he s t il l i t s top s

r ai ni ng . I 'm a fr ai d t he y' ll g et w et ," s ai d P es si m.

T ro t l au gh ed , b ut C ap 'n B il l t ho ug ht t he l it tl e m an w as p ok in g f un a t h im , s o h e s co wl ed u po n P es si m

i n a w ay t hat s ho wed he w as a ng ry .

T he y r ea ch ed t he s he d b ef or e g et ti ng ve ry w et , a lt ho ug h t he r ai n w as n ow c om in g d ow n i n b ig d ro ps .

T he r oo f o f t he s he d p ro te ct ed t he m, a nd w hi le t he y s to od w at ch in g t he r ai ns to rm , s om et hi ng b uz ze d a nd

c i rc l ed a ro un d P es s im 's h ea d. A t o nc e t he O bs er ver

b eg an b ea ti ng i t a wa y w it h h is h an ds , c ry in g o ut , " A b um bl eb ee ! A b um bl eb ee ! Th e q ue er es t b um bl eb ee I

ever saw!"

P a g e 1 4



C ap' n B il l a nd T ro t bo th l oo ke d at i t, an d t he gi rl s ai d i n s ur pr is e, " De ar m e! I t' s a w ee l it tl e Or k! "

" Th at 's w ha t i t i s, s ur e e no ug h, " e xc la im ed C ap 'n B il l. R e al ly , i t w as n' t m uc h b ig ge r t ha n a b ig

b um bl eb ee , a nd w he n i t c am e t ow ar d T ro t, s he a ll ow ed i t t o a li gh t o n h er s ho ul de r.

" It 's m e, a ll r ig ht ," s ai d a ve ry s ma ll vo ic e i n he r ea r, " bu t I 'm i n a n a wf ul pi ck le , j us t t he s ame ."

" Wh at , a re y ou O UR O rk , t he n? " d em an de d t he g ir l, m uc h a ma ze d.

" No, I 'm m y o wn O rk . B ut I 'm t he on ly O rk y ou k no w, " r epl ie d t he t iny c rea tur e.

" Wh at 's h ap pe ne d t o y ou ?" a sk ed t he s ai lo r, p ut ti ng h is h ea d c lo se t o T ro t' s s ho ul de r i n o rd er t o h ea r

t he r ep ly b et te r. P es si m a ls o pu t h is he ad c lo se , a nd t he O rk s ai d, " Yo u w il l r eme mbe r t ha t w he n I l ef t y ou , Is ta rt ed t o f ly o ve r t he t re es , a nd j us t

as I got t o t hi s si de of t he f or est I saw a bus h t hat was l oaded down w it h t he most lusc ious f rui t you c an

i ma gi ne . T he f ru it w as a bo ut t he s iz e o f a g oo se be rr y a nd o f a l ove ly l aven de r c ol or . S o I s wo op ed d ow n a nd

pic ked off one i n my bill and ate it .

A t o nc e, I b eg an t o g ro w s ma ll . I c ou ld f ee l m ys el f s hr in ki ng , s hr in ki ng a wa y, a nd i t f ri gh te ne d m e t er ri bl y,

s o t ha t I al igh te d on t he g ro un d t o t hi nk over w ha t w as ha ppe ni ng. I n a f ew s ec on ds I ha d s hr unk t o t he s iz e

you now see me, but there I r ema

i ne d, g et ti ng n o s ma ll er , i nd ee d, b ut n o l ar ge r. It i s c er ta in ly a d re ad fu l a ff li ct i on ! A ft er I h ad r ec ove re d

s ome wh at f ro m t he s ho ck , I b eg an t o s ea rc h f or y ou. I t i s n ot s o ea sy t o f ind o ne 's w ay w hen a c rea tu re i s

s o s ma ll , bu t f or tu na te ly I s pi ed y

ou her e in t his s hed and c ame t o y ou at onc e."

C ap 'n B il l a nd T ro t w er e m uc h a st on is he d a t t hi s s to ry a nd f el t g ri eve d f or t he p oo r O rk , b ut t he l it tl e

m an P es si m s ee me d t o t hi nk i t a g oo d j ok e. H e b eg an l au gh in g w he n h e h ea rd t he s to ry a nd l au gh ed u nt il

he c hok ed , af ter wh ic h he l ay do wn on t he g ro

u nd a nd r ol le d a nd l au gh ed a ga in , w hi le t he t ea rs o f m er r im en t c ou rs ed d ow n h is w r in kl ed c he ek s. " Oh d ea r!

Oh d ea r! " h e f in al ly ga spe d, s it ti ng u p a nd w ipi ng h is e ye s. " Th is i s t oo r ic h! I t' s a lm os t t oo j oy fu l t o b e t ru e. "

" I d on 't s ee a ny th in g f un ny a bo ut i t, " r em ar ke d T ro t i nd ig na nt ly .

" Yo u w ou ld i f y ou 'd h ad m y e xp er ie nc e, " s ai d P es si m, g et ti ng u po n h is f ee t a nd g ra du al ly r es um in g

h is s ol em n a nd d is sa ti s fi ed e xp re ss io n o f c ou nt en an ce . " Th e s am e t hi ng h ap pe ne d t o m e. "

" Oh , d id i t? A nd h ow di d y ou h ap pen t o c om e t o t hi s i sl and ?" a sk ed t he gi rl .

" I d id n' t c om e; t he n ei gh bo rs b ro ug ht m e, " r ep li ed t he l it tl e m an w it h a f ro wn a t t he r ec ol le ct io n.

" Th ey s ai d I w as q ua rr el so me a nd f au lt -f in di ng a nd b la me d m e b ec au se I t ol d t he m a ll t he t hi ng s t ha t w en t

w ro ng or ne ve r w er e r ig ht , a nd b ec au se I t ol d t

he m how t hi ngs ou ght t o b e. S o t he y b ro ugh t m e her e an d l ef t me al l al one , s ay in g t hat i f I qua rr el ed w it h

m ys el f, n o o ne w ou ld b e m ad e u nh ap py . A bs ur d, w as n' t i t? "" Se em s t o m e, " s ai d C ap 'n B il l, " th os e n ei gh bo rs d id t he p ro pe r t hi ng ."

" We ll ," r es um ed P es si m, " wh en I f ou nd m ys el f K in g o f t hi s i sl an d, I w as o bl ig ed t o l ive u po n f ru it s,

a nd I f ou nd m an y f ru it s g ro wi ng h er e t ha t I h ad n eve r s ee n b ef or e. I t as te d s eve ra l a nd f ou nd t hem go od a nd

w ho le so me . B ut o ne d ay I a te a l avend er b er

r y as t he Or k di d, and i mmediat ely I gr ew so s mal l t hat I w as sc ar cel y t wo inc hes hi gh. It was a ver y

u np le as an t c on di ti on , a nd l ik e t he O rk I b ec am e f ri gh te ne d. I c ou ld n ot w al k ve ry w el l n or ve ry f ar , f or e ve ry

l um p o f e ar th i n m y w ay s ee med a mo unt ai n

, e ve ry b la de o f g ra ss a t re e a nd e ve ry g ra in o f s an d a r oc ky b ou ld er . F or s eve ra l d ay s I s tu mb le d a ro un d i n

an ago ny o f f ea r. Onc e a t ree t oa d ne ar ly gob bl ed me u p, a nd i f I r an out f ro m t he s he lt er of t he bus hes , t he

g ul l s a nd c o rm o ra nt s s w oo pe d d o wn

u po n me . Fi na ll y, I d ec ide d t o ea t a no th er be rr y a nd be co me n ot hi ng at a ll , s in ce l if e t o o ne a s s mal l as I

w as h ad b ec om e a d re ar y n ig ht ma re ." At l as t I f oun d a s ma ll t ree t ha t I t ho ug ht b or e t he s ame f ru it as t ha t I h ad e at en . T he b er ry w as da rk

p ur pl e i ns te ad o f l ig ht l ave nd er , b ut o th er wi se i t w as q ui te s im il ar . B ei ng u na bl e t o c li mb t he t re e, I w as

o bl ig ed t o w ai t u nd er ne at h i t u nt il a s

h ar p br ee ze ar os e a nd s ho ok t he l im bs s o t ha t a b er ry f el l. I ns ta nt ly I s ei ze d i t, a nd t ak in g a l as t vi ew of t he

w or ld -- as I t he n t ho ug ht -- I a te t he b er ry i n a t wi nk li ng . T he n, t o m y s ur pr is e, I b eg an t o g ro w b ig a ga in u nt il I

b ec am e o f m y f or me r s ta tu r

e , a nd s o I h ave s in ce r em ai ne d. N ee dl es s t o s ay , I h ave n eve r e at en a ga in o f t he l ave nd er f ru it , n or d o a ny o f

t he b ea st s o r bi rd s t ha t l ive up on t he i sl an d e at i t. "

T he y h ad a ll t hr ee l is te ne d e ag er ly t o t hi s a ma zi ng t al e, a nd w he n i t w as f in is he d, t he O rk e xc la im ed ,

" Do y ou t hi nk , t he n, t ha t t he d ee p p ur pl e b er ry i s t he a nt id ot e f or t he l ave nd er o ne ?"

" I' m s ur e o f i t, " a ns we re d P es si m.

" The n l ea d m e t o t he t ree at o nc e! " be gg ed t he Or k. " For t hi s t in y f or m I n ow ha ve t er ri fi es me

greatly."

P es si m e xa mi ne d t he O rk c lo se ly . " Yo u ar e u gl y e no ugh a s y ou a re ," s ai d h e. " We re y ou a ny

l ar ge r, y ou m ig ht b e d an ge ro us . "

P a g e 1 5



" Oh n o, " Tr ot as sur ed h im . " The O rk h as b ee n ou r go od f ri en d. Pl ea se t ak e u s t o t he t re e. "

T he n P es si m c on se nt ed , a lt ho ug h r at he r r el uc ta nt ly . H e l ed t he m t o t he r ig ht , w hi ch w as t he e as t

s ide of t he i sl and , a nd i n a f ew mi nut es br oug ht t hem nea r t o t he e dge of t he gr ove w hi ch f ac ed t he s hor e of

t he o ce an . H er e s to od a s ma ll t re e b ea ri ng b er

r ie s o f a d ee p p ur pl e c ol or . T he f ru it l oo ke d ve ry e nt ic in g, a nd C ap 'n B il l r ea ch ed u p a nd s el ec te d o ne t ha t

s ee me d e sp ec ia ll y p lu mp a nd r ip e. T he O rk h ad r em ai ne d p er ch ed u po n T ro t' s s ho ul de r, b ut n ow i t f le w d ow n

t o t he g ro un d. I t w as s o d if fi cu lt f o

r C ap 'n B il l t o k nee l do wn w it h h is w ood en l eg t hat t he l it tl e gi rl t oo k t he b er ry f rom h im a nd he ld i t c lo se t ot he O rk 's h ea d.

" It 's t oo b ig t o g o i nt o m y m ou th ," s ai d t he l it tl e c re at ur e, l oo ki ng a t t he f ru it s ide wi se .

" You' ll h ave t o m ak e s ev' ra l m ou thf ul s o f i t, I g ue ss ," s ai d T ro t, a nd t ha t i s w ha t t he Or k d id . H e

p ec ked a t t he s of t, r ipe f ru it w it h h is bi ll a nd a te i t u p ve ry q ui ck ly , b ec au se i t w as g oo d. E ven before he had

f in is he d t he b er ry , t he y c ou ld s ee t he

O rk b eg in t o g ro w. In a f ew m in ut es h e h ad r eg ai ne d h is n at ur al s iz e a nd w as s tr ut ti ng b ef or e t he m, q ui te

d e li g ht e d w i t h h i s t r an s fo r ma t io n .

" We ll , w el l! W ha t do y ou t hi nk o f m e n ow ?" h e a sk ed p ro ud ly .

" Yo u a re ve r y s k in ny a nd r em ar k ab ly u gl y ," d ec l ar e d P es s im .

" Yo u a re a p oo r j udg e of Or ks ," w as t he r epl y. " An yon e c an s ee t ha t I 'm mu ch ha nd som er t ha n

t ho se d re ad fu l t hi ng s c al le d b ir ds , w hi ch a re a ll f lu ff a nd f ea th er s ."

" Th ei r f ea th er s m ak e s of t b ed s, " a ss er t ed P es s im .

" An d m y s ki n w ou ld m ak e e xc el le nt d ru mh ea ds ," r et or te d t he O rk . " Ne ve rt he le ss , a p lu ck ed b ir d o r a

s ki nn ed O rk w ou ld b e o f n o va lu e t o h im se lf , s o w e n ee dn 't b ra g o f o ur u se fu ln es s a ft er w e a re d ea d. B ut f or

t he s ak e o f a rg um en t, f ri en d P es si m, I 'd l ik e

t o k no w w ha t g oo d Y OU w ou ld b e w er e y ou n ot a li ve ."

" I a m K in g o f t hi s I sl and , a ll ow me t o s ay , a nd y ou' re i nt ru di ng on m y pr ope rt y, " d ec lar ed t he l it tl e

m an , s co wl in g u po n t he m. " If y ou d on 't l ik e m e- -a nd I 'm s ur e y ou d on 't , f or n o o ne e ls e d oe s- -w hy d on 't y ou

g o a wa y a nd l ea ve m e t o m ys el f? "

" Wel l, t he Or k c an f ly , b ut w e c an 't ," e xp lai ned T rot i n a ns we r. "W e d on 't w an t t o s ta y h er e a b it , b ut

I d on' t s ee how we c an ge t a wa y. "

" Yo u c an go ba ck i nt o t he h ol e y ou c ame f ro m. "

C ap 'n B il l s ho ok h is h ea d; T ro t s hu dd er ed a t t he t ho ug ht ; t he O rk l au gh ed a lo ud .

" Yo u m ay b e K ing h er e, " t he c re at ur e s ai d t o P es si m, " bu t w e i nt end t o r un t hi s i sl an d t o s ui t

o ur se lve s, f or w e a re t hr ee a nd y ou a re o ne , a nd t he b al an ce o f p ow er l ie s w it h u s. "T he l it tl e m an m ad e n o r epl y t o t hi s, a lt ho ugh as t hey w al ke d b ac k t o t he s hed hi s f ac e w or e i ts

f ie rc es t s co wl . C ap 'n B il l g at he re d a l ot o f l ea ve s a nd , a ss is te d b y T ro t, p re pa re d t wo n ic e b ed s i n o pp os it e

c or ne rs o f t he s he d. P es si m s le pt i n a h am mo c

k w hi ch h e s wu ng b et we en t wo t re es .

T he y r eq ui re d n o d is he s, a s a ll t he ir f oo d c on si st ed o f f ru it s a nd n ut s p ic ke d f ro m t he t re es . T he y

m ad e n o f ir e, f or t he w ea th er w as w ar m a nd t he re w as n ot hi ng t o c oo k. T he s he d h ad n o f ur ni tu re o th er t ha n

t he r ude s to ol w hi ch t he l it tl e m an w as a cc us

t omed t o s it upon. He c all ed it hi s " thr one, " and they l et hi m keep i t.

S o t he y li ve d u po n t he i sl an d f or t hr ee d ay s a nd r es te d a nd a te t o t he ir h ea rt s' c on te nt . S ti ll , t he y

w er e no t a t a ll ha ppy i n t hi s l if e be ca us e o f P es si m. H e c ont in ua ll y f oun d f au lt w it h t he m, a nd al l t ha t t hey

d id , a nd a ll t he ir s ur ro un di ng s. H e c ou

l d s ee n ot hi ng g oo d o r a dm ir ab le i n a ll t he w or ld , a nd T ro t s oo n c am e t o u nd er st an d w hy t he l it tl e m an 'sf or me r n ei gh bo rs h ad b ro ug ht h im t o t hi s i sl an d a nd l ef t h im t he re a ll a lo ne s o h e c ou ld n ot a nn oy a ny on e. I t

w as t he ir m is fo rt un e t ha t t he y h ad b ee n

l ed t o t hi s p la ce b y t he ir a dve nt ur es , f or o ft en t he y w ou ld h ave p re fe rr ed t he c om pa ny o f a w il d b ea st t o t ha t

o f P es s im .

On t he f ou rt h d ay , a hap py t houg ht c ame t o t he O rk . T he y h ad al l be en r ac ki ng t hei r b ra ins f or a

p os si bl e w ay t o l ea ve t he i sl an d a nd d is cu ss in g t hi s o r t ha t m et ho d w it ho ut f in di ng a p la n t ha t w as p ra ct ic al .

C ap 'n B il l h ad s ai d he c ou ld m ak e a r af t o f

t he t ree s b ig e nou gh t o f loa t t he m a ll , bu t h e h ad no t oo ls e xc ep t t ho se t wo po ck et kn ive s, a nd i t w as n ot

p os si bl e t o c ho p d ow n t re es w it h s uc h s ma ll b la de s.

" And s 'po se w e got af loa t on t he oc ea n, " s ai d T rot , " whe re w oul d w e dr if t t o and how l ong wo ul d i t

t ak e us t o g et t her e? "

C ap 'n B il l w as f or ced t o a dm it he d id n' t k no w. T he O rk c oul d f ly aw ay f rom t he i sl and a ny t ime i t

w is he d t o, but t he qu eer c reat ur e w as l oy al t o hi s new f ri ends and r ef us ed t o l eave t he m i n s uc h a l on el y,

f or sak en pl ac e. I t w as w hen T rot ur ged h im t o g

o o n t hi s f ou rt h m or ni ng t hat t he O rk h ad hi s h app y t hou ght . " I w il l g o, " s ai d h e, " if y ou t wo w il l a gr ee t o r id e

P a g e 1 6



u po n m y b ac k. "

" We a re t oo h ea vy . Y ou m ig ht d ro p u s, " o bj ec te d C ap 'n B il l.

" Ye s, y ou a re r at he r h ea vy f or a l on g j ou rn ey ," a ck no wl ed ge d t he O rk , " bu t y ou m ig ht e at o f t ho se

l ave nd er b er ri es a nd b ec om e s o s ma ll t ha t I c ou ld c ar ry y ou w it h e as e. "

T hi s q ua in t s ug ge st i on s t ar t le d T ro t, a nd s he l oo ke d g ra ve ly a t t he s pe ak er w hi le s he c on si de r ed i t ,

b ut C ap 'n B il l g ave a s co rn fu l s no rt a nd a sk ed , " Wh at w ou ld b ec om e o f u s a ft er wa rd ? W e w ou ld n' t b e m uc h

go od i f w e w er e s ome t wo o r t hr ee i nc hes h igh.

N o, M r. O rk , I 'd r at he r s ta y h er e a s I a m t ha n b e a h op -o '- my -t hu mb s om ew he re e ls e. "" Wh y c ou ld n' t y ou t ak e s om e o f t he d ar k p ur pl e b er ri es a lo ng w it h y ou t o e at a ft er w e h ad r ea ch ed

o ur d es ti na ti on ?" i nq ui re d t he O rk . " Th en y ou c ou ld g ro w b ig a ga in w he ne ve r y ou p le as ed ."

T ro t c la pp ed h er h an ds w it h d el ig ht . " Th at 's i t! " s he e xc la im ed . " Le t' s d o i t, C ap 'n B il l. "

T he ol d s ai lo r d id no t l ik e t he i dea at f ir st , b ut h e t hou gh t i t over c ar ef ul ly , an d t he mor e he t hou ght

t he b et ter i t s ee me d. " How c ou ld y ou ma na ge t o c ar ry u s i f w e w er e s o s mal l? " he a sk ed .

"I could put you in a paper bag and tie the bag ar ound my nec k."

" Bu t w e h ave n' t a p ap er b ag ," o bj ec te d T ro t.

T he O rk l oo ke d a t h er . " Th er e' s y ou r s un bo nn et ," i t s ai d p re se nt ly , " wh ic h i s h ol lo w i n t he m id dl e

a nd h as t wo s tr in gs t hat y ou c ou ld t ie ar ou nd m y n ec k. "

T ro t t oo k o ff h er s un bo nn et a nd r eg ar de d i t c ri ti ca ll y. Y es , i t m ig ht e as il y h ol d b ot h h er a nd C ap 'n B il l

a ft er t he y h ad e at en t he l ave nd er b er ri es a nd b ee n r ed uc ed i n s iz e. S he t ie d t he s tr in gs a ro un d t he O rk 's

nec k and t he s unbo nnet made a b ag i n w hi

c h t wo t in y p eo pl e m ig ht r id e w it ho ut d an ge r o f f al li ng o ut . S o s he s ai d, " I b 'l ie ve w e' ll d o i t t ha t w ay , C ap 'n ."

C ap 'n B il l g ro an ed b ut c ou ld m ak e n o l og ic al o bj ec ti on e xc ep t t ha t t he p la n s ee me d t o h im q ui te

d an ge ro us - -a nd d an ge r ou s i n m or e w ay s t h an o ne .

" I t hi nk s o, m ys el f, " s ai d T ro t s ob er ly . " Bu t n ob od y c an s ta y a li ve w it ho ut g et ti ng i nt o d an ge r

s om et im es , a nd d an ge r d oe sn 't m ea n g et ti ng h ur t, C ap 'n . I t o nl y m ea ns w e M IG HT g et h ur t. S o I g ue ss w e' ll

have to take the risk."

" Le t' s g o a nd f in d t he b er ri es ," s ai d t he O rk .

T hey s ai d n ot hi ng t o P es si m, w ho w as s it ti ng o n h is s to ol a nd s co wl in g d is ma ll y a s h e s tar ed at t he

o ce an , b ut s ta rt ed a t o nc e t o s ee k t he t re es t ha t b or e t he m ag ic f ru it s. Th e O rk r em em be re d ve ry w el l w he re

t he l ave nd er b er ri es g re w a nd l ed h is c om pa ni

o ns q ui ck ly t o t he s po t. C ap 'n B il l g at he re d t wo b er ri es a nd p la ce d t he m c ar ef ul ly i n h is p oc ke t. T he n t he y

w en t a rou nd t o t he ea st s ide of t he i sl an d and f ound t he t ree t hat bor e t he dar k p ur pl e ber ri es . " I g ues s I 'l l

t ak e f ou r of t he se ," s ai d t he s ai lo r ma n, " so i n c as e o ne d oe sn 't ma ke u s g row bi g, w e c an e at a no th er ."

" Be tt er ta ke s ix , " a dvi se d t he O rk . " It 's w el l t o b e o n t he s af e s id e, a nd I 'm s ur e t he se t re es g ro w

n ow he re e ls e i n a ll t he w or ld ."

S o C ap 'n B il l g at he re d s ix o f t he p ur pl e b er ri es a nd w it h t he ir p re ci ou s f ru it t he y r et ur ne d t o t he s he d

t o b id g oo db ye t o P es si m. P er ha ps t he y w ou ld n ot h ave g ra nt ed t he s ur ly l it tl e m an t hi s c ou rt es y h ad t he y

n ot w is he d t o u se hi m t o t ie t he s unb on ne t

a ro un d t he O rk 's n ec k. W he n P es si m l ea rn ed t he y w er e a bo ut t o l ea ve h im , h e a t f ir st l oo ke d g re at ly

p le as ed , b ut h e s ud de nl y r ec ol le ct ed t ha t n ot hi ng o ug ht t o p le as e h im , a nd s o b eg an t o g ru mb le a bo ut b ei ng

l e ft a l on e.

" We k ne w i t w ou ld n' t s ui t y ou, " r em ar ke d C ap 'n B il l. " It d id n' t s ui t y ou t o h ave us h er e, an d i t w on 't

s uit y ou t o have us go away. "

" Th at i s q ui te t ru e, " a dm it te d P es si m. " I h ave n' t b ee n s ui te d s in ce I c an r em em be r, s o i t d oe sn 'tmatt er t o me in t he leas t whet her y ou go or st ay. "

H e w as i nt er es t ed i n t he ir e xp er i me nt , h ow eve r, a nd w il li ng ly a gr ee d t o a ss is t , a lt ho ug h h e

p ro ph es ie d t he y w ou ld f al l o ut o f t he s un bo nn et o n t he ir w ay a nd b e e it he r d ro wn ed i n t he o ce an o r c ru sh ed

u po n s om e r oc ky s ho re . T hi s u nc he er f ul p ro sp ec t d id n o

t d au nt T ro t, b ut i t m ad e C ap 'n B il l q ui te n er vo us .

" I w il l e at my b er ry f ir st ," s ai d T ro t as s he pl ac ed he r s un bo nn et o n t he gr ou nd i n s uc h a m an ne r t hat

t he y c ou ld g et i nt o i t. T he n s he a te t he l ave nd er be rr y an d i n a f ew s ec on ds b ec ame s o s ma ll t hat C ap 'n B il l

p ic ke d he r u p ge nt ly w it h hi s t hu mb a nd o

n e f in ge r a nd p la ce d h er i n t he m id dl e o f t he s un bo nn et . T he n h e p la ce d b es id e h er t he s ix p ur pl e

b er r ie s- -e ac h o ne b ei ng a bo ut a s b ig a s t he t in y T ro t' s h ea d- - an d a ll p re pa ra ti on s b ei ng n ow m ad e, t he o ld

s ai l or a t e h is l ave nd er b er ry a nd b ec am e ve ry s ma

l l, w oo de n l eg a nd a ll ! C ap 'n B il l s tu mb le d s ad ly i n t ry in g t o c li mb o ve r t he e dg e o f t he s un bo nn et a nd p it ch ed

i n b es id e T ro t h ea df ir st , w hi ch c au se d t he u nh ap py P es si m t o l au gh w it h g le e. T he n t he K in g o f t he I sl an d

p i ck e d u p t h e s u nb o nn e t- - s o r u de l y

t ha t he s ho ok i ts o cc up an ts l ik e p ea s i n a po d- -an d t ie d i t b y m ea ns o f i ts s tr in gs s ec ur el y a ro un d t he O rk 's

P a g e 1 7



neck.

" I h op e, T ro t, y ou s ew ed t ho se s tr in gs o n t ig ht ," s ai d C ap 'n B il l a nx io us ly .

" Wh y, w e a re n ot ver y heavy , y ou k no w, " s he r ep li ed , " so I t hi nk t he s ti tc he s w il l h ol d. B ut b e c ar ef ul

a nd n ot c ru sh t he b er r ie s, C ap 'n ."

" On e i s j am me d a lr ea dy ," h e s ai d, l oo ki ng a t t he m.

" Al l r ea dy ?" a sk ed t he O rk .

" Ye s! " t he y c ri ed t og et he r, a nd P es si m c am e c lo se t o t he s un bo nn et a nd c al le d o ut t o t he m, " Yo u' ll

b e s ma sh ed o r d ro wn ed , I 'm s ur e y ou w il l! B ut f ar ew el l, a nd g oo d r id da nc e t o y ou ."The Or k was pr ovo ked by t hi s u nk ind s pe ec h, s o he t ur ned h is t ai l t ow ar d t he l it tl e m an a nd ma de i t

r evo lve s o f as t t ha t t he r us h o f a ir t um bl ed P es si m o ve r b ac kw ar d, a nd h e r ol le d s eve ra l t im es u po n t he

g ro un d b ef or e h e c ou ld s to p h im se lf a nd s it u p. B

y t ha t t ime , t he O rk w as hi gh i n t he a ir a nd s pe ed in g s wi ft ly over t he o cean .

P a g e 1 8



C HA PT ER 6

T HE F LI GH T O F T HE M ID GE TS

C ap 'n B il l a nd T ro t r od e ve ry c om fo rt ab ly i n t he s un bo nn et . T he m ot io n w as q ui te s te ad y, f or t he y

w ei gh ed s o l it tl e t ha t t he O rk f le w w it ho ut e ff or t. Y et t he y w er e b ot h s om ew ha t n er vo us a bo ut t he ir f ut ur e f at e

a nd c ou ld n ot h el p w is hi ng t he y w er e s af e

o n l an d a nd t he ir n at ur al s iz e a ga in . " Yo u' re t er r' bl e s ma ll , T ro t, " r em ar ke d C ap 'n B il l, l oo ki ng a t h is

companion." Sa me t o y ou , C ap' n, " s he s ai d w it h a l au gh, " but as l on g a s w e h ave t he pur pl e ber ri es , we needn' t

w or r y a bo ut o ur s i ze ."

" In a c ir cus ," mu se d t he o ld ma n, " we' d b e c ur io si ti es . B ut i n a s un bon net hi gh u p i n t he a ir s ai li n'

ove r a b ig , u nk no wn o ce an , t he y a in 't n o w or d i n a ny b oo kt io na ry ( si c) t o d es cr ib e u s. "

" Wh y, w e' re m id ge ts , t ha t' s a ll ," s ai d t he l it tl e g ir l.

T he O rk f le w s il en tl y f or a l on g t im e. T he s li gh t s wa yi ng o f t he s un bo nn et m ad e C ap 'n B il l d ro ws y,

a nd h e b eg an t o d oz e. T ro t, h ow eve r, w as w id e a wa ke , a nd a ft er e nd ur in g t he m on ot on ou s j ou rn ey a s l on g

a s s he w as ab le, s he c al le d o ut , " Don 't y ou s ee l a

n d a ny wh er e, M r. O rk ?"

" No t y et ," h e an sw er ed . " Thi s i s a bi g oc ea n, a nd I 've n o i de a i n w hi ch di re ct io n t he n ear es t l and t o

t ha t i sl an d l ie s, b ut i f I k ee p f ly in g i n a s tr ai gh t l in e, I 'm s ur e t o r eac h s ome pl ac e s om et im e. "

T ha t s ee me d r ea so na bl e, s o t he l it t le p eo pl e i n t he s un bo nn et r em ai ne d a s p at i en t a s p os si bl e; t ha t

i s, C ap 'n B il l s ti ll d oz ed a nd T ro t t ri ed t o r em em be r h er g eo gr ap hy l es so ns s o s he c ou ld f ig ur e o ut w ha t l an d

t he y w er e l ik el y t o a rr ive a t. F or h ou rs an

d h ou rs t he Or k f le w s te adi ly , k ee pi ng t o t he s tr ai ght l in e an d s ear ch in g w it h h is ey es t he h or iz on o f t he

oc ean f or l and . C ap' n B il l w as f as t as le ep a nd s nor ing and Tr ot had l ai d her he ad o n h is s ho ul de r t o r es t i t

w he n s ud de nl y t he O rk e xc la im ed , " Th er

e! I've c au gh t a g li mps e o f l an d a t l as t. "

At this announcement they roused themselves. Cap'n Bill stood up and tried to peek over the edge

o f t he s un bo nn et . " Wh at d oe s i t l oo k l ik e? " h e i nq ui re d.

" Lo ok s l ik e an ot he r i sl an d, " s ai d t he O rk , " bu t I c an j udg e i t b et te r i n a m inu te o r t wo ."

" I d on 't c ar e m uc h f or i sl an ds , s in ce w e vi si te d t ha t o th er o ne ," d ec la re d T ro t.

S oo n t he O rk m ad e a no th er a nn ou nc em en t. " It i s s ur el y a n i sl an d, a nd a l it tl e o ne , t oo ," s ai d h e.

" Bu t I w on 't s top b ec au se I s ee a m uc h bi gge r l and s tr ai ght ah ea d of i t. "

" Th at 's r ig ht ," a pp ro ve d C ap 'n B il l. " Th e b ig ge r t he l an d, t he b et te r i t w il l s ui t u s. "" It 's a lm os t a c on ti ne nt ," c on ti nu ed t he O rk a ft er a b ri ef s il en ce d ur in g w hi ch h e d id n ot d ec re as e t he

s pee d o f hi s f li gh t. " I w ond er i f i t c an be Or kl and , t he p lac e I h ave be en s ee ki ng s o l on g?"

" I h op e no t, " w hi spe re d T ro t t o C ap' n B il l s o s of tl y t ha t t he Or k c ou ld n ot h ea r, " fo r I s hou ldn 't l ik e t o

b e i n a c ou nt ry w her e o nl y Or ks l ive . T hi s on e Or k i sn 't a b ad c omp an ion , b ut a l ot o f hi m w oul dn' t be mu ch

fun."

After a few more minutes of flying, the Ork called out in a sad voice, "No! This is not my country. It's

a p la ce I h ave n eve r s ee n be fo re , a lt ho ug h I h ave w an de re d f ar a nd w id e. I t s ee ms t o b e a ll m ou nt ai ns a nd

d es er t s a nd g re en va ll ey s a nd q ue er c i ti

e s a nd l ak es a nd r ive rs , m ix ed u p i n a ve ry p uz zl in g w ay ."

" Mo st c ou nt ri es a re l ik e t ha t, " c om me nt ed C ap 'n B il l. " Ar e y ou g oi ng t o l an d? "

" Pr et ty s oo n, " w as t he r ep ly . " Th er e i s a m ou nt ai n pe ak j us t a hea d of m e. W ha t d o y ou s ay t o o ur

l a nd i ng o n t h at ? "" Al l r ig ht ," a gr ee d t he s ai lo r m an , f or b ot h h e a nd T ro t w er e g et ti ng t ir ed o f r id in g i n t he s un bo nn et

an d l onge d t o s et f oo t on s ol id g ro und ag ai n. S o i n a f ew mi nut es t he O rk s low ed do wn h is s peed an d t hen

c ame t o a st op s o eas ily t hat t hey w er e s car c

e ly j ar re d a t a ll . T he n t he c re at ur e s qu at te d d ow n u nt il t he s un bo nn et r es te d o n t he g ro un d a nd b eg an t ry in g

t o u nf as te n w it h i ts c la ws t he k no tt ed s tr in g.

Thi s pr oved a ve ry c lu ms y t as k, b ec au se t he s tr in gs w er e t ie d a t t he b ac k o f t he O rk 's n ec k, j us t

w he re h is c la ws w ou ld n ot e as il y r ea ch . A ft er m uc h f um bl in g, h e s ai d, " I' m a fr ai d I c an 't l et y ou o ut , a nd t he re

is no one near t o help me. "

T hi s w as a t f ir st d is co ur ag in g, b ut a ft er a l it tl e t ho ug ht , C ap 'n B il l s ai d, " If y ou d on 't m in d, T ro t, I c an

c ut a s li t i n y ou r s un bon ne t w it h my k ni fe ."

" Do ," s he r epl ied . " The s li t w on 't m at te r, ' cau se I c an s ew i t up a gai n a ft er war d w hen I am b ig. "

S o C ap' n B il l g ot o ut hi s k ni fe , w hi ch w as j us t as s ma ll i n p rop or ti on as h e w as , a nd af te r

c on si de ra bl e t r ou bl e m an ag ed t o c ut a l on g s li t i n t he s un bo nn et . F ir s t, h e s qu ee ze d t hr ou gh t he o pe ni ng

h ims el f a nd t he n he lp ed T ro t t o g et o ut . W hen t he y s to o

d o n f ir m g ro un d a ga in , t he ir f ir st a ct w as t o b eg in e at in g t he d ar k p ur pl e b er ri es w hi ch t he y h ad b ro ug ht w it h

P a g e 1 9



t he m. T wo o f t he se T ro t h ad g ua rd ed c ar ef ul ly d ur in g t he l on g j ou rn ey b y h ol di ng t he m i n h er l ap , f or t he ir

s af et y m ean t m uc h t o t he t iny p eo p

le.

" I' m n ot ve ry h un gr y, " s ai d t he l it tl e g ir l a s s he h an de d a b er ry t o C ap 'n B il l, " bu t h un ge r d oe sn 't c ou nt

i n t hi s c as e. I t' s l ik e t ak in g m edi ci ne t o m ak e y ou w el l, s o w e m us t m an ag e t o e at ' em s om eh ow or o th er ."

B ut t he b er ri es p ro ve d q ui te p le as an t t o t as te , a nd a s C ap 'n B il l a nd T ro t n ib bl ed a t t he ir e dg es , t he ir

f or ms b eg an t o gr ow i n s iz e, s low ly b ut s te ad il y. T he b ig ge r t he y gr ew t he e as ier i t w as f or t he m t o ea t t he

b er r ie s, w hi ch o f c ou rs e b ec am e s ma ll er t o t he m, a nd b y t he t im e t he f ru it w as e at en , o ur f ri en ds h ad r eg ai ne d t he ir n at ur al s iz e.

T he l it tl e g ir l w as g re at ly r el ie ve d w he n s he f ou nd h er se lf a s l ar ge a s s he h ad e ver be en , an d C ap' n

B il l s ha re d h er s at is fa ct io n, f or a lt ho ug h t he y h ad s ee n t he e ff ec t o f t he b er ri es o n t he O rk , t he y h ad n ot b ee n

s ur e t he m ag ic f ru it w ou ld h ave t he s am e

e ff ec t o n h um an b ei ng s, o r t ha t t he m ag ic w ou ld w or k i n a ny o th er c ou nt ry t ha n t ha t i n w hi ch t he b er ri es

g re w. " Wh at s ha ll w e d o w it h t he o th er f ou r b er ri es ?" a sk ed T ro t a s s he p ic ke d u p h er s un bo nn et , m ar ve li ng

t ha t s he h ad e ve r b ee n s ma ll e no ug h t o r i

de i n i t. " The y' re no go od t o us no w, a re t he y, C ap' n?"

" I' m n ot s ur e a s t o t ha t, " h e r ep li ed . " If t he y w er e e at en b y o ne w ho h ad n eve r e at en t he l avender

b er ri es , t he y m ig ht h ave n o e ff ec t a t a ll ; b ut t he n, c on tr ar yw is e, t he y m ig ht . O ne o f ' em h as g ot b ad ly

jammed, so I'll throw it away, but the other thre

e I b'l ieve I 'l l c ar ry w it h me . T he y' re ma gi c t hi ngs , y ou k now , a nd ma y c om e h and y t o u s s om et im e. "

H e no w s ear ch ed i n h is b ig po ck et s an d dr ew ou t a s mal l w ood en b ox w it h a s li di ng c over . The

s ai lo r m an k ep t a n as so rt me nt of n ai ls o f va ri ou s s iz es i n t hi s b ox , b ut t ho se h e n ow d um pe d l oo se ly i nt o h is

p oc ke t a nd i n t he b ox p la ce d t he t hr ee s ou nd p ur pl

e b er ri es . W he n t hi s i mp or ta nt m at te r w as a tt en de d t o, t he y f ou nd t im e t o l oo k a bo ut t he m a nd s ee w ha t

s or t of p lac e t he O rk ha d l an de d t he m i n.

P a g e 2 0



C HA PT ER 7

T HE B UM PY M AN

Th e mou nt ai n on w hi ch t he y h ad al ig ht ed w as no t a ba rr en w as te, bu t had o n i ts s ides pa tc hes of

g re en g ra ss , s om e b us he s, a nd f ew s le nd er t re es a nd h er e a nd t he re m as se s o f t um bl ed r oc ks . T he s id es o f

t he s lo pe s ee me d r at he r s te ep , b ut w it h c ar e o ne c ou

l d c li mb u p o r d ow n t he m w it h e as e a nd s af et y. T h e vi ew f ro m w he re t he y n ow s to od s ho we d p le as an t

va ll ey s a nd f er ti le h il ls l yi ng b el ow t he h ei gh ts . T ro t t ho ug ht s he s aw s om e h ou se s o f q ue er s ha pe s s ca tt er eda bo ut t he l ow er l an ds ca pe , a nd t he re w er e m ov

i ng d ot s t ha t m ig ht be p eop le or a ni mal s, y et w er e t oo f ar a way f or he r t o s ee t he m c lea rl y. N ot f ar f rom t he

p lac e w he re t hey s too d w as t he t op o f t he mo un ta in , w hi ch s eem ed t o be f la t, s o t he O rk p ro pos ed t o h is

c om pa ni on s t ha t h e w ou ld f ly u p a nd s ee

w ha t w as t he re .

" Th at 's a g oo d i de a, " s ai d T ro t, " ' ca us e i t' s g et ti ng t ow ar d e ve ni ng an d w e' ll ha ve t o f in d a p la ce t o

sleep."

The Or k had not been gone mor e t han a f ew mi nut es w hen t hey s aw hi m appear on t he edge of t he

t op w hi ch w as ne ar es t t o t hem . " Com e on u p! " he c al led .

S o Tr ot a nd C ap 'n B il l b ega n t o as ce nd t he s tee p s lo pe , an d i t di d no t t ak e t hem l ong t o r eac h t he

p la ce w he re t he O rk a wa it ed t he m. T he ir f ir st vi ew o f t he m ou nt ai nt op p le as ed t he m ve ry m uc h. I t w as a

l eve l s pa ce o f w id er e xt en t t ha n t he y h ad g ue ss ed ,

a nd upo n i t g rew gr as s of a b ri ll ia nt gr een c ol or . I n t he ve ry c en te r s to od a h ous e b ui lt of s to ne a nd ver y

n ea tl y c ons tr uc te d. N o on e w as i n s ig ht , b ut s mo ke w as c om in g f ro m t he c hi mn ey , s o w it h o ne a cc or d a ll

t hr ee b eg an w al ki ng t ow ar d t he h ou se . " I

w on de r, " s ai d T ro t, " in w ha t c ou nt ry w e a re a nd i f i t' s ve ry f ar f ro m m y h om e i n C al if or ni a. "

" Ca n' t s ay a s t o t ha t, p ar tn er ," a ns we re d C ap 'n B il l, " bu t I 'm m ig ht y c er ta in w e' ve c om e a l on g w ay

s i nc e w e s t ru c k t ha t w hi r lp oo l. "

" Ye s, " s he a gr ee d w it h a s ig h, " it m us t b e m il es a nd m il es !"

" Di st an ce m ea ns n ot hi ng ," s ai d t he O rk . " I h ave f lo wn p re tt y m uc h a ll o ve r t he w or ld t ry in g t o f in d m y

h om e, a nd i t i s a st on is hi ng h ow m an y l it tl e c ou nt ri es t he re a re h id de n a wa y i n t he c ra ck s a nd c or ne rs o f t hi s

b ig g lo be o f E ar th . I f o ne t ra ve ls , h e

m ay f in d s ome n ew c oun tr y at e ver y t ur n, and a g ood ma ny of t he m h ave never y et b ee n pu t up on t he m ap s. "

" P' ra ps t hi s i s o ne o f t he m, " s ug ge st ed T ro t.

Th ey r eac hed t he h ous e a ft er a b ri sk w al k, a nd C ap' n B il l k noc ked up on t he d oor . I t w as at on ceo pe ne d b y a r ug ge d- lo ok in g m an w ho h ad " bu mp s a ll o ve r h im ," a s T ro t a ft er wa rd d ec la re d. T he re w er e

bu mp s on hi s h ea d, bu mp s on hi s b od y a nd b um ps on h is ar

m s an d l eg s a nd h an ds . E ve n hi s f in ge rs ha d b um ps on t he e nd s o f t he m. F or dr es s h e w or e a n o ld gr ay s ui t

o f f an ta st ic d es ig n, w hi ch f it te d h im ve ry b ad ly b ec au se o f t he b um ps i t c ove re d b ut c ou ld n ot c on ce al . B ut

t he B um py M an 's e ye s w er e k in d a nd t wi n

k li ng i n e xp re ss io n, a nd a s s oo n a s h e s aw h is vi si tor s, he bo wed l ow an d s ai d i n a r at her b um py vo ic e,

" Ha ppy da y! C om e i n a nd s hut t he d oo r, f or i t g ro ws c ool w he n t he s un goe s d ow n. W in te r i s n ow u po n u s. "

" W hy , i t is n 't c o ld a b i t ou t si d e, " s ai d T r ot , " so i t c an 't b e w i nt e r y e t. "

" Yo u w il l c ha ng e y our m in d a bou t t ha t i n a l it tl e w hi le ," d ec lar ed t he B um py Ma n. " My b ump s

a lw ay s t el l m e o f t he s ta te o f t he w ea the r, a nd t hey f eel j us t n ow a s i f a s no ws to rm w as c omi ng t hi s w ay .

B ut m ak e y ou rs el ve s a t h om e, s tr an ge rs . S up pe r i s n ea

r ly r ea dy , a nd t he re i s f oo d e no ug h f or a ll ."I ns id e t he h ou se t he re w as b ut o ne l ar ge r oo m, s im pl y b ut c om fo rt ab ly f ur ni sh ed . I t h ad b en ch es , a

t ab le a nd a f ir ep la ce , a ll m ad e o f s to ne . O n t he h ea rt h a p ot w as b ub bl in g a nd s te am in g, a nd T ro t t ho ug ht i t

h ad a r at he r n ic e s me ll . T he vi si to rs s ea te

d t he ms el ve s u po n t he b en ch es - -e xc ep t t he O rk , w hi ch s qu at t ed b y t he f ir ep la ce -- an d t he B um py M an b eg an

s t ir r in g t h e k et t le b ri e fl y .

" Ma y I a sk w ha t c ou nt ry t hi s i s, s ir ?" i nq ui red C ap 'n B il l.

" Go od ne ss m e, f r ui t- c ak e a nd a pp le sa uc e, d on 't y ou k no w w he re y ou a re ?" a sk ed t he B um py M an

a s h e s to pp ed s ti rr in g a nd l oo ke d a t t he s pe ak er i n s ur pr is e.

" N o, " a dm it t ed C ap 'n B il l . " W e' ve j us t a r ri ve d. "

" Lo st y ou r w ay ?" q ue st i on ed t he B um py M an .

" No t e xa ct ly ," s ai d C ap 'n B il l. " We d id n' t h ave a ny w ay t o l os e. "

" At !" s ai d t he B um py M an , n od di ng h is b um py h ea d. " Th is ," h e a nn ou nc ed i n a s ol em n, i mp re ss ive

vo ic e, " is t he f am ou s L an d o f M o. "

" Oh !" e xc la im ed t he s ai lo r a nd t he g ir l, b ot h i n o ne b re at h. B ut n ever h avi ng h ea rd o f t he L an d o f M o,

t he y w er e n o w is er t ha n b ef or e.

P a g e 2 1



" I t ho ug ht t ha t w ou ld s ta rt le y ou ," r em ar ke d t he B um py M an , w el l p le as ed , a s h e r es um ed h is

stirring.

T he Or k w at ch ed h im a w hi le i n s il en ce a nd t he n as ked , " Wh o ma y Y OU b e? "

" Me ?" a ns w er ed t he B um py M an . " Ha ve n' t y ou h ea rd o f m e? G in ge rb re ad a nd l em on j ui ce ! I 'm

k no wn f ar a nd w id e a s t he M ou nt ai n E ar ."

T he y a ll r ec ei ve d t hi s i nf or ma ti on i n s il en ce a t f ir st , f or t he y w er e t ry in g t o t hi nk w ha t h e c ou ld m ea n.

F in al ly , T ro t m us te re d u p c ou ra ge t o a sk , " Wh at i s a M ou nt ai n E ar , p le as e? "

F or a ns we r t he m an t ur ne d a ro un d a nd f ac ed t he m, w avi ng t he s po on w it h w hi ch h e h ad b ee n s ti rr in gt he k et tl e a s h e r ec it ed t he f ol lo wi ng ve rs es i n a s in gs on g t on e o f vo ic e:

" He re 's a m ou nt ai n, h ar d o f h ea ri ng ,

T ha t 's s a d- h ea r te d a nd n ee ds c he er i ng ,

So m y du ty i s t o l ist en t o al l s oun ds t hat Nat ur e mak es ,

S o t he h il l w on 't g et u ne as y- -

G et t o c ou gh in g, o r g et s ne ez y- -

F or t hi s m on st er b um p, w he n f ri gh te ne d, i s q ui te l ia bl e t o q ua ke s.

Y OU c an h ea r a b el l t ha t' s r in gi ng ;

I c an f ee l s om e p eo pl e' s s in gi ng ;

B ut a m ou nt ai n i sn 't s ens ibl e o f w hat g oe s o n, a nd s o

W he n I h ea r a b li zz ar d b lo wi ng

O r i t 's r ai ni ng h ar d, o r s no wi ng ,

I t el l i t t o t he m ou nt ai n a nd t he m oun tai n s ee ms t o k now .

T hu s I b en ef it a ll p eo pl e

W hi le I 'm l ivi ng o n t hi s s te ep le ,

F or I k ee p t he m ou nt ai n s te ad y s o m y n ei gh bo rs a ll m ay t hr ive .

W it h m y l is t' ni ng a nd m y s ho ut in g

I p re ve nt t hi s m ou nt f r om s po ut in g,

And that makes me so important that I'm glad that I'm alive."

W he n h e h ad f in is he d t he se l in es o f ve rs e, t he B um py M an t ur ne d a ga in t o r es um e h is s ti rr in g. T he

O rk l au gh ed s of tl y, a nd C ap 'n B il l w hi st le d t o h im se lf a nd T ro t m ad e u p h er m in d t ha t t he M ou nt ai n E ar m us t

be a l it tl e c raz y. B ut t he B umpy Man seemed s a

t is fi ed t ha t h e h ad e xp la in ed h is p os it io n f ul ly , a nd p re se nt ly h e p la ce d f ou r s to ne p la te s u po n t he t ab le a ndt hen l if te d t he k et tl e f or m t he f ir e an d po ur ed s ome of i ts c ont ent s o n ea ch of t he p lat es . C ap 'n B il l an d T rot

a t o nc e a pp ro ac he d t he t ab le , f

o r t he y w er e h un gr y, b ut w he n s he e xa mi ne d h er p la te , t he l it tl e g ir l e xc la im ed , " Wh y, i t' s m ol as se s c an dy !"

" To b e s ur e, " r et ur ned t he B um py M an w it h a p le as an t s mi le . " Ea t i t q ui ck w hi le i t' s h ot , f or i t c oo ls

ve ry q ui ck ly t hi s w in te r w ea th er ." W it h t hi s, h e s ei ze d a s to ne s po on a nd b eg an p ut ti ng t he h ot m ol as se s

c an dy i nt o h is m ou th w hi le t he o th er s w at ch ed

h im i n a s to ni s hm en t .

" Do es n' t i t b ur n y ou ?" a sk ed t he g ir l.

" No i nd ee d, " s ai d h e. " Wh y d on 't y ou e at ? A re n' t y ou h un gr y? "

" Yes ," s he r ep li ed, " I a m h ung ry . B u t w e u su al ly e at o ur c an dy w he n i t i s c ol d a nd h ar d. W e a lw ay s

p ul l m ol as se s c an dy b ef or e w e e at i t. "

" Ha , h a, h a! " l au gh ed t he M ou nt ai n E ar . "W ha t a f un ny i de a! Wh er e i n t he w or ld d id y ou c om efrom?"

" C al i f or n ia , " s h e s a id .

" Ca li fo rn ia ! P oo h! T he re i sn 't a ny s uc h p la ce . I 've h ea rd of eve ry p la ce i n t he L an d o f M o, b ut I n ever

before heard of California."

" It i sn' t i n t he L an d o f M o, " s he e xp la ine d.

" Th en i t i sn 't w or t h t al k in g a bo ut ," d ec la re d t he B um py M an , h el pi ng h im se lf a ga in f r om t he s te am in g

k et tl e, f or h e ha d be en ea ti ng a ll t he t ime h e t al ked .

" Fo r m y pa rt ," s igh ed C ap' n B il l, " I' d l ik e a de ce nt s qua re m ea l o nc e m or e, j us t b y w ay of var iet y. I n

t he l as t p la ce t he re w as n ot hi ng b ut f ru it t o e at , a nd h er e i t' s w or se , f or t he re 's n ot hi ng b ut c an dy ."

" Mo la ss es c an dy i sn 't s o b ad ," s ai d T ro t. " M in e' s n ea rl y c oo l e no ug h t o p ul l, a lr ea dy . W ai t a b it ,

C ap' n, a nd y ou c an ea t i t. "

A little later she was able to gather the candy from the stone plate and begin to work it back and

f or th w it h h er h an ds . T he M ou nt ai n E ar w as a ma ze d a t t hi s a nd w at ch ed h er c lo se ly . I t w as r ea ll y g oo d

c an dy a nd p ul le d b ea ut if ul ly , s o t ha t T ro t w as s oo n

r ea dy t o c ut i t i nt o c hun ks f or e at in g. C ap 'n B il l c ond es ce nde d t o e at o ne o r t wo p ie ce s, a nd t he O rk a te

P a g e 2 2



s ever al , b ut t he B um py Ma n r ef us ed t o t ry i t. T rot f in is hed t he pl at e of c and y h er se lf a nd t he n a sk ed f or a

d ri nk o f w at er .

" W at e r? " s ai d t he M ou nt ai n E ar w o nd er i ng ly . " Wh at i s t ha t ?"

" So me th in g t o d ri nk . D on 't y ou h ave w at er t o d ri nk ?"

" Non e t hat ever I he ar d o f, " s ai d h e. " But I c an gi ve y ou s ome f res h l em on ad e. I c aug ht i t i n a j ar t he

l as t t im e i t r ai ne d, w hi ch w as o nl y d ay b ef or e y es te rd ay ."

" Oh , d oe s i t r ai n l em on ad e h er e? " s he i nq ui re d.

" A l wa y s. A n d i t i s ve ry r ef r es hi ng a nd h ea lt hf ul . " W i t h t hi s , h e b ro ug ht f ro m a c up bo ar d a s t on e j ar and a d ipper , and t he gi rl f ound i t ver y ni ce l em ona de i nd ee d. C ap 'n B il l l ik ed i t t oo, b ut t he O rk w oul d no t

touch it.

" If t he re i s n o w at er i n t hi s c ou nt ry , I c an no t s ta y h er e f or l on g, " t he c re at ur e d ec la re d. " Wa te r

m ea ns l if e t o m an a nd b ea st a nd b ir d. "

" Th er e m us t b e w at er i n l em on ad e, " s ai d T ro t.

" Ye s, " a ns we red t he O rk , " I s up po se s o, b ut t he re ar e o the r t hi ng s i n i t t oo , a nd t he y s poi l t he g ood

water."

T he d ay 's a dve nt ur es h ad m ad e o ur w an de re rs t ir ed , s o t he B um py M an b ro ug ht t he m s om e b la nk et s

i n w hi ch t he y r ol le d t he ms el ve s a nd t he n l ay d ow n b ef or e t he f ir e, w hi ch t he ir h os t k ep t a li ve w it h f ue l a ll

t hr ou gh t he n ig ht . T ro t w ak en ed s eve ra l t i me s a nd

f ou nd t he M ou nt ai n E ar a lw ay s a le rt a nd l is te ni ng i nt en tl y f or t he s li gh te st s ou nd . B ut t he l it tl e g ir l c ou ld

he ar n o s ou nd a t al l ex cep t t he s nor es o f C ap' n B il l.

P a g e 2 3



C HA PT ER 8

BUTTON-BRIGHT IS LOST AND FOUND AGAIN

" Wa ke u p, w ak e up !" c al le d t he vo ic e o f t he B ump y M an . " Di dn' t I t el l y ou w in te r w as c omi ng ? I

c ou ld h ea r i t c om in g w it h m y l ef t e ar , an d t he pr oof i s t hat i t i s s no wi ng ha rd ou ts id e. "

" Is i t? " s ai d T ro t, r ub bi ng h er e ye s a nd c re ep in g o ut o f h er b la nk et . " Wh er e I l ive , i n C al if or ni a, I h ave

neve r s ee n s no w, e xc ep t f ar a wa y o n t he t op s o f h ig h m ou nt ai ns ."

" We ll , t hi s i s t he t op of a h igh m ou nt ai n, " r et ur ne d t he bu mp y on e, " an d f or t hat r ea son w e g et o ur h ea vi e st s n ow f a ll s r i gh t h e re . "

T he l it tl e g ir l w en t t o t he w in do w a nd l oo ke d o ut . T he a ir w as f il le d w it h f al li ng w hi te f la ke s s o l ar ge i n

s iz e a nd s o q ue er i n f or m t ha t s he w as p uz zl ed . " Ar e y ou s ur e t hi s i s s now ?" s he a sk ed.

"To be sur e. I mus t get my snow shovel and t ur n out t o shovel a pat h. W oul d you li ke t o come wi th

me?"

" Ye s, " s he s ai d, a nd f ol lo we d t he B um py M an o ut w he n h e o pe ne d t he d oo r. T he n s he e xc la im ed ,

"Why, it isn't cold a bit!"

" Of c ou rs e n ot ," re pl ie d t he m an . " It w as c ol d l as t n ig ht b ef or e t he s no ws to rm , b ut s no w, w he n i t

f al ls , i s a lw ay s c ri sp a nd w ar m. "

T ro t g at he re d a h an df ul o f i t. " Wh y, i t' s p op co rn !" s he c ri ed .

" Ce rt ai nl y. A ll s no w i s po pc or n. W ha t d id y ou e xpe ct i t t o b e? "

" Po pc or n i s n ot s no w i n m y c ou nt ry ."

"Well, it is the only snow we have in the Land of Mo, so you may as well make the best of it," said

h e a l it tl e i mp at ie nt ly . " I' m n ot r es po ns ib le f or t he a bs ur d t hi ng s t ha t h ap pe n i n y ou r c ou nt ry , a nd w he n y ou 'r e

in Mo you must do as the Momen do. Eat

some of our snow and you will fi nd it is good. T he only f ault I f ind with our snow is that we get too much of it

a t t im es . " W i th t hi s , th e Bu mp y Ma n se t t o w o rk s ho ve li ng a p at h, a nd h e w as s o q ui ck a nd i nd us t ri ou s t ha t

h e p il ed u p t he p op co rn i n g re at

b an ks o n e it he r s id e o f t he t ra il t ha t l ed t o t he m ou nt ai nt op f ro m t he p la in s b el ow . W hi le h e w or ke d, T ro t a te

p op co rn a nd f ou nd i t c ri sp a nd s li gh tl y w ar m, a s w el l a s n ic el y s al te d a nd b ut te re d. P re se nt ly C ap 'n B il l

c am e o ut o f t he h ou se a nd j oi ne d h er

.

" Wh at 's t hi s? " h e a sk ed .

" Mo s now ," s ai d s he . " Bu t i t i sn' t r ea l s no w, a lt ho ug h i t f al ls f ro m t he s ky . I t' s p op co rn ." C ap 'n B il l

t as ted i t, t hen he sat down in t he pat h and began to eat . The Ork c ame out and peck ed away wit h it s bill asf as t a s i t c ou ld . T hey a ll l ik ed p op c

o rn , an d t he y a ll w er e h un gr y t hi s m or ni ng . M ea nt im e, t he f la ke s o f " Mo s now " c am e do wn s o f as t t hat t he

n um be r o f t he m a lm os t d ar k en ed t he a ir .

T he B um py M an w as n ow s ho ve li ng q ui t e a d is t an ce d ow n t he m ou nt ai ns id e, w hi le t he p at h b eh in d

h im r ap id ly f i ll ed u p w it h f r es h- fa ll en p op co rn . S ud de nl y, T ro t h ea rd h im c al l o ut , " Go od ne ss g ra ci ou s, m in ce

p ie a nd p an ca ke s! H er e i s s om eo ne b ur ie d i n t he

snow."

S he r an t ow ar d h im a t o nc e, a nd t he o th er s f ol lo we d, w ad in g t hr ou gh t he c or n a nd c ru nc hi ng i t

u nd er ne at h t he ir f ee t. T he M o s no w w as p re tt y d ee p w he re t he B um py M an w as s ho ve li ng , a nd f ro m a g re at

ba nk o f i t he h ad unc over ed a pair of f eet.

" Dea r me ! S om eo ne h as b ee n l os t i n t he s to rm ," s ai d C ap 'n B il l. " I h op e h e i s s ti ll a li ve . L et 's p ul l

hi m o ut a nd s ee. " H e t oo k h ol d o f on e f oo t, an d t he Bu mp y M an t oo k h ol d o f t he o th er . T hen t he y b ot hp ul le d, a nd o ut f ro m t he h ea p o f p op co rn c am e

a little boy.

H e w as d re ss ed i n a b ro wn ve lve t j ac k et a nd k ni c ke r bo ck e rs , w i th b r ow n s t oc k in gs , b uc k le d s ho es

an d a b lue s hi rt -w ai st t hat ha d f ri ll s do wn i ts f ro nt . W hen dr aw n f rom t he h eap , t he bo y w as c hew ing a

m ou th fu l o f p op co rn a nd b ot h h is h an ds w er e f ul l o f i t

. S o a t f ir st h e c ou ld n' t s pe ak t o h is r es cu er s, b ut l ay q ui te s ti ll a nd e yed t he m c al ml y u nt il h e h ad

s wa ll ow ed h is m ou th fu l. T he n h e s ai d, " Ge t m y c ap ," a nd s tu ff ed m or e p op co rn i nt o h is m ou th .

W hi le t he B um py M an b eg an s ho ve li ng i nt o t he c or n- ba nk t o f in d t he b oy 's c ap , T ro t w as l au gh in g

joyfully and Cap'n Bill had a broad grin on his face. The Ork looked from one to the other and asked, "Who is

t h is s t r an g er ? "

" Wh y, i t' s B ut to n- Br ig ht , o f c ou rs e, " a ns we re d T ro t. " I f a ny on e e ve r f in ds a l os t b oy , h e c an m ak e u p

h is m ind i t' s B ut to n- Br ig ht . B ut ho w h e ever c ame t o b e l os t i n t hi s f ar aw ay c ou nt ry i s mo re' n I c an m ak e

out."

" Wh er e d oe s h e b el on g? " i nq ui r ed t he O rk .

" Hi s h om e u se d t o b e i n P hi la de lp hi a, I t hi nk , b ut I 'm q ui te s ur e B ut to n- Br ig ht d oe sn 't b el on g

P a g e 2 4



anywhere."

" Th at 's r ig ht ," s ai d t he b oy , n od di ng h is h ea d a s h e s wa ll ow ed t he s ec on d m ou th fu l.

" E ve r yo n e b el o ng s s o me w he r e, " r e ma r ke d t h e O r k.

" No t m e, " i ns i st ed B ut t on -B ri gh t. " I' m h al f w ay ' ro un d t he w or l d f r om P hi la de lp hi a, a nd I 've l o s t m y

M ag ic U mbr el la t hat u se d t o c ar ry m e an yw he re. S ta nds t o r ea so n t ha t i f I c an 't ge t b ac k, I h aven' t any

home. B ut I don't c are much. This is a pr et ty

g oo d c ou nt ry , T ro t. I 've h ad l ot s o f f un h er e. "

B y t hi s t im e, t he M ou nt ai n E ar h ad s ec ur ed t he b oy 's c ap a nd w as l is te ni ng t o t he c on ve rs at io n w it hm uc h i nt er es t. " It s ee ms y ou k no w t hi s p oo r, s no w- co ve re d c as ta wa y, " h e s ai d.

" Ye s i nd ee d, " a ns we re d T ro t. " We m ad e a j ou rn ey t o S ky I sl an d t og et he r o nc e a nd w er e g oo d

friends."

" We ll t he n, I 'm gl ad I s ave d hi s l if e, " s ai d t he B um py M an .

" Mu ch o bl ig ed , M r. K no bs ," s ai d B ut to n- Br ig ht , s it ti ng u p a nd s ta ri ng a t h im . " Bu t I d on 't b el ie ve

y ou 've s ave d a ny th in g e xc ep t s om e p op co rn t ha t I m ig ht h ave e at en h ad y ou n ot d is tu rb ed m e. I t w as n ic e

and wa rm i n t hat ba nk of p opc or n, and t her e wa s p

l en ty t o ea t. W ha t m ad e y ou d ig m e o ut ? A nd w ha t m ak es y ou s o b ump y ever ywher e?"

" As f or t he b um ps ," r ep li ed t he ma n, l oo ki ng at h im se lf w it h mu ch p ri de , " I w as b or n w it h t he m, a nd I

s us pe ct t he y w er e a g if t f ro m t he f ai ri es . T he y m ak e m e l oo k r ug ge d a nd b ig , l ik e t he m ou nt ai n I s er ve ."

" Al l r ig ht , " s ai d B ut to n- B ri gh t, a nd b eg an e at i ng p op co rn a ga in .

I t h ad s to pp ed s no wi ng n ow , a nd g re at f lo ck s o f b ir ds w er e g at he ri ng a ro un d t he m ou nt ai ns id e, e at in g

t he p op co rn w it h m uc h e ag er ne ss a nd s ca rc el y n ot ic in g t he p eo pl e a t a ll . T he re w er e b ir ds o f e ve ry s iz e a nd

c ol or , m os t o f t he m h avi ng g or ge ou s f ea th er s

a nd p l um es . " Ju st l oo k a t t he m! " e x cl ai me d t h e O r k s c or n fu ll y . "A r en 't t he y d r ea df ul c r ea t ur e s, a ll c ove re d

with feathers?"

" I t hi nk t he y' re b ea ut if ul ," s ai d Tr ot , a nd t hi s m ad e t he O rk s o i ndi gn an t t ha t he w en t b ac k i nt o t he

h ou se an d s ul ked . B ut ton -B ri gh t r eac he d o ut hi s ha nd an d c au gh t a bi g bi rd by t he l eg. A t o nc e, i t r os e i nt o

t he air , and i t w as so st rong t hat i t nea

r ly c ar ried the litt le boy w ith it . He let go the l eg in a hurr y, and the bir d fl ew dow n again and began to eat of

t he p op co rn , n ot b ei ng f ri gh te ne d i n t he l ea st . T hi s g ave C ap 'n B il l a n i de a. H e f el t i n h is p oc ke t a nd d re w

o ut s eve ra l p ie ce s o f s to ut

s tr in g. M ovi ng ve ry q ui et ly s o a s n ot t o a la rm t he b ir ds , h e c re pt u p t o s eve ral of t he bi gg es t one s an d t ie d

c or ds a ro un d t he ir l eg s, t hu s m ak in g t he m p ri so ne rs . T h e b ir ds w er e s o i nt en t o n t he ir e at in g t ha t t he y d id

n ot n ot ic e w ha t h ad h ap pe ne d t o t hem, a nd w he n ab ou t t wen ty ha d b ee n c ap tur ed i n t hi s ma nn er , C ap' n B il l t ie d t he e nd s o f a ll t he s tr in gs

t og et he r a nd f as te ne d t he m t o a h ug e s to ne s o t he y c ou ld n ot e sc ap e.

T he B um py M an w at ch ed t he o ld s ai lo r' s a ct io ns w it h m uc h c ur io si ty . " Th e b ir ds w il l b e q ui et u nt il

t he y've e at en up a ll t he s no w, " h e s ai d, " but t he n t he y w il l w an t t o f ly a wa y t o t hei r h om es . Te ll m e, s ir , w ha t

w il l t he po or t hi ngs do w he n t hey f in d t h

e y c an 't f ly ?"

" It m ay w or ry ' em a l it tl e, " r ep li ed C ap 'n B il l, " bu t t he y' re no t g oi ng t o b e h ur t i f t he y t ak e i t e as y a nd

behave themselves."

O ur f ri en ds h ad a ll m ad e a g oo d b re ak fa st o f t he d el ic io us p op co rn , a nd n ow t he y w al ke d t ow ar d t he

h ou se a ga in . B ut to n- Br ig ht w al ke d b es id e T ro t a nd h el d h er h an d i n h is , b ec au se t he y w er e o ld f ri en ds , a nd

h e l ik ed t he l it tl e g ir l ver y mu ch. T he boy w a

s no t s o o ld as T ro t, a nd s ma ll as s he w as , he w as ha lf a he ad s ho rt er i n he ig ht . T he m os t r ema rk ab le t hi nga bo ut B ut to n- Br i gh t w as t ha t h e w as a lw ay s q ui et a nd c om po se d w ha te ve r h ap pe ne d, a nd n ot hi ng w as e ver

a bl e t o a st on is h h im . T ro t l ik ed h im b ec au s

e h e w as n ot r ud e a nd n eve r t ri ed t o p la gu e h er e. C ap 'n B il l l ik ed h im b ec au se h e h ad f ou nd t he b oy c he er fu l

and brave a t a ll t im es an d w il li ng t o d o a ny thi ng he w as as ke d t o d o. W he n t he y c am e t o t he ho us e, T ro t

s ni ff ed t he a ir a nd a sk ed , " Do n' t I s me ll

perfume?"

" I b el ie ve y ou d o, " s ai d t he B um py M an . " Yo u s me ll vi ol et s, a nd t ha t p ro ve s t he re i s a b re ez e

s pr in gi ng u p f ro m t he s ou th . A l l o ur w in ds a nd b re ez es a re p er fu me d, a nd f or t ha t r ea so n w e a re g la d t o h ave

t he m b lo w i n o ur d ir ec ti on . T he s ou th b re ez e a lw

a ys h as a vi ol et o do r; t he n or th b re ez e h as t he f ra gr an ce o f w il d r os es ; t he e as t b re ez e i s p er fu me d w it h

l il ie s- of -t he -va ll ey ; a nd t he w es t w it h l il ac b lo ss om s. W e h ave o nl y t o s me ll t he p er fu me , a nd i t i nf or ms u s a t

once."

I ns id e t he h ou se , t he y f ou nd t he O rk , a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht r eg ar de d t he s tr an ge , b ir d- l ik e c r ea tu re w it h

c ur io us i nt er es t. A ft er e xa mi ni ng i t c lo se ly f or a t im e, h e a sk ed , " Wh ic h w ay d oe s y ou r t ai l w hi rl ?"

" Ei th er w ay ," s ai d t he O rk .

P a g e 2 5



B ut to n- Br ig ht p ut o ut h is h an d a nd t ri ed t o s pi n i t. " Do n' t d o t ha t! " e xc la im ed t he O rk .

" Wh y n ot ?" i nq ui re d t he b oy .

" Be cau se i t h ap pe ns t o be my t ai l, a nd I r es er ve t he r igh t t o w hi rl i t m ys el f, " e xpl ai ne d t he O rk .

" Le t' s g o o ut a nd f ly s om ew he re ," p ro po se d B ut to n- Br ig ht . " I w an t t o s ee h ow t he t ai l w or ks ."

" No t n ow ," s ai d t he Or k. " I a ppr ec iat e y ou r i nt er es t i n me , w hi ch I f ul ly d es er ve; bu t I o nl y f ly w he n I

am g oi ng s ome wh er e, a nd i f I g ot s tar te d, I m igh t no t s to p. "

" Th at r em in ds m e, " r em ar ke d C ap 'n B il l, " to a sk y ou , f ri en d O rk , h ow w e a re g oi ng t o g et a wa y f ro m

here?"" Ge t a wa y! " e xc la im ed t he B um py M an . " Wh y d on 't y ou s ta y h er e? Y o u w on 't f in d a ny n ic er p la ce

t ha n M o. "

" Ha ve y ou b ee n a ny wh er e e ls e, s ir ?"

" No , I c an 't s ay t ha t I h ave , a dm it te d t he M ou nt ai n E ar .

" Th en p er mi t m e t o s ay y ou 'r e n o j ud ge ," d ec la re d C ap 'n B il l. " Bu t y ou h ave n' t a ns we re d m y

q ue st io n, f ri en d O rk . H ow a re w e t o g et a wa y f ro m t hi s m ou nt ai n? "

T he O rk r ef le ct ed a w hi le b ef or e h e a ns we re d. " I m ig ht c ar ry o ne o f y ou -- th e b oy o r t he g ir l- -u po n m y

ba ck ," s ai d he, " bu t t hr ee bi g peo pl e ar e mo re t han I c an m ana ge, al thou gh I h ave c ar ried t wo o f y ou f or a

s ho rt d is ta nc e. Y ou o ug ht n ot t o h ave e at en

t ho se p ur pl e b er r ie s s o s oo n. "

" Pe rh ap s w e d id m ak e a m is t ak e, " C ap 'n B il l a ck no wl ed ge d.

" Or w e m ig ht h ave b ro ug ht s om e o f t ho se l ave nd er b er ri es w it h u s i ns te ad o f s o m an y p ur pl e o ne s, "

suggested Trot regretfully.

C ap' n B il l ma de no r ep ly t o t hi s s tat em ent , w hi ch s how ed h e di d n ot f ul ly a gr ee w it h t he l it tl e g ir l.

B ut h e f el l i nt o d ee p t ho ug ht w it h w ri nk le d b ro ws , a nd f in al ly h e s ai d, " If t ho se p ur pl e b er ri es w ou ld m ak e

a ny th in g g ro w b ig ge r, w he th er i t' d e at en t h

e l ave nd er o ne s o r n ot , I c ou ld f in d a w ay o ut o f o ur t ro ub le s. " T he y d id n ot u nd er st an d t hi s s pe ec h a nd

l oo ke d at t he o ld s ai lor a s i f e xp ec ti ng h im t o e xpl ai n w hat he m ea nt . Bu t j us t t hen a c hor us o f s hr il l c ri es

r o se f r om o ut s id e .

" He re ! Le t m e g o, l et me g o! " t he vo ic es s ee me d t o s ay . " Wh y a re w e i ns ul te d i n t hi s w ay ?

M ou nt ai n E ar , c om e a nd h el p u s! "

T ro t r an t o t he w in do w a nd l oo ke d o ut . " It 's t he b ir ds y ou c au gh t, C ap 'n ," s he s ai d. " I d id n' t k no w

they could talk."

" Oh y es , a ll t he b ir ds i n M o a re e duc at ed t o t al k, " s ai d t he B um py M an . T he n h e l ook ed a t C ap' n B il l

u ne as il y a nd a dd ed , " Wo n' t y ou l et t he p oo r t hi ng s g o? "" I' ll s ee ," r ep li ed t he s ai lo r, a nd w al k ed o ut t o w he re t he b ir ds w er e f lu tt er in g a nd c om pl ai ni ng

b ec au se t he s tr in gs w oul d n ot a ll ow t hem t o f ly a wa y. " Li st en t o m e! " h e c ri ed , a nd a t on ce t he y be ca me

s ti ll . " We t hr ee pe op le w ho a re s tr ang er s i n y ou r l

and want to go to some ot her countr y, and we want t hr ee of you bir ds to carr y us ther e. We k now we are

as ki ng a gr ea t f avo r, b ut i t' s t he o nl y w ay w e c an t hi nk of -- ex ce p' w al ki n' , a n' I 'm no t mu ch g oo d at t hat

b ec au se I 've g ot a w oo de n l eg . B e si de s, T ro

t a n' B ut to n- Br ig ht a re t oo s ma ll t o u nd er ta ke a l on g a nd t ir es om e j ou rn ey . N ow t el l m e, w hi ch t hr ee o f y ou

b ir ds w il l c on se nt t o c ar ry u s? "

T he b ir ds l oo ke d a t o ne a no th er a s i f g re at ly a st on is he d. T he n o ne o f t he m r ep li ed , " Yo u m us t b e

c ra zy , o ld m an . Not on e o f u s i s bi g e no ugh t o f ly w it h e ven t he s mal le st o f y our pa rt y. "'

" I' ll f ix t he m at te r o f s iz e, " pr omi se d C ap' n B il l. " If t hr ee of y ou w il l a gr ee t o c ar ry us , I 'l l m ak e y ou b ig

an' st rong enough t o do it , so i t won't wor ry y ou a bi t. "T he b ir ds c on si de re d t hi s g ra ve ly . L ivi ng i n a m ag ic c ou nt ry , t he y h ad n o d ou bt b ut t ha t t he s tr an ge

o ne -l eg ge d ma n c oul d d o w hat h e s ai d. A ft er a l it tl e, o ne of t he m as ked , " If y ou m ak e us b ig, w ou ld w e s tay

b i g a l wa y s? "

" I t hi nk s o, " r ep li ed C ap 'n B il l.

T he y c ha tt er ed a w hi le a mo ng t he ms el ve s, a nd t he n t he b ir d t ha t h ad f ir st s po ke n s ai d, " I' ll g o, f or

one."

" So w il l I ," s ai d an ot he r. A nd a ft er a p au se , a t hi rd s ai d, " I' ll g o, t oo. "

P er ha ps m or e w ou ld h ave vo lu nt ee re d, f or i t s ee me d t ha t f or s om e r ea so n t he y a ll l on ge d t o b e b ig ge r

t ha n t he y w er e, b ut t hr ee w er e e no ug h f or C ap 'n B il l' s p ur po se , a nd s o h e p ro mp tl y r el ea se d a ll t he o th er s,

w ho i mm ed ia te ly f le w a wa y. T he t hr ee t ha t r e

m ai ne d w er e c ou si ns , a nd a ll w er e o f t he s am e b ri ll ia nt p lu ma ge a nd i n s iz e a bo ut a s l ar ge a s e ag le s. W he n

T ro t q ue st io ne d t he m, s he f ou nd t he y w er e q ui te y ou ng , h avi ng o nl y a ba nd on ed t he ir n es ts a f ew w ee ks

b ef or e. T he y w er e s tr on g, y ou ng b ir ds w it h c le

a r, br ave e ye s, a nd t he l it tl e g ir l d ec id ed t he y w er e t he m os t b ea ut if ul o f a ll t he f ea th er ed c re at ur es s he h ad

ever seen.

P a g e 2 6



C ap 'n B il l n ow t oo k f ro m h is p oc ke t t he w oo de n b ox w it h t he s li di ng c ove r a nd r em ove d t he t hr ee

p ur pl e b er ri es , w hi ch w er e s ti ll i n g oo d c on di ti on . " Ea t t he se ," h e s ai d, a nd g ave o ne t o e ac h o f t he b ir ds .

T he y o be ye d, f in di ng t he f ru it ve ry p le as an t t o

t as te . I n a f ew s ec on ds t he y b ega n t o gr ow i n s iz e an d g re w s o f as t t ha t T ro t f ear ed t hey w oul d n eve r s to p.

B ut t he y f ina ll y d id s to p gr ow ing , a nd t he n t hey w er e mu ch l ar ger t ha n t he Or k, an d ne ar ly t he s iz e o f

f ul l- gr ow n o st r ic he s. C ap 'n B il l w as m uc h

p le as ed b y t hi s r es ul t. " Yo u c an c ar ry u s n ow , a ll r ig ht ," s ai d he .

T he b ir ds s tr ut te d a ro un d w it h p ri de , h ig hl y p le as ed w it h t he ir i mm en se s iz e. " I d on 't s ee , t ho ug h, "s ai d T ro t d ou bt fu ll y, " ho w w e' re g oi ng t o r id e o n t he ir b ac ks w it ho ut f al li ng o ff ."

" We 'r e n ot g oi ng t o r id e on t he ir b ac ks ," a ns wer ed C ap' n B il l. " I' m go in g t o m ak e s wi ngs f or us t o

r i de i n. "

H e t hen a sk ed t he B ump y Man f or s ome r ope, b ut t he m an h ad n o r ope. He had , ho we ve r, a n o ld s ui t

o f g ra y c lo the s w hi ch h e g lad ly p re se nt ed t o C ap 'n B il l, w ho c ut t he c lo th i nt o s tr ip s a nd t wi st ed i t s o t ha t i t

w as a lm os t a s s tr on g a s r op e. W it h t hi s m at

e ri al h e a tt ac he d t o e ac h b ir d a s wi ng t ha t d an gl ed b el ow i ts f ee t, a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht m ad e a t ri al f li gh t i n o ne

o f t he m t o p ro ve t ha t i t w as s af e a nd c om fo rt ab le . W he n a ll t hi s h ad b ee n a rr an ge d, o ne o f t he b ir ds a sk ed ,

" Wher e do you wis h us t o tak e y ou?

"

" Wh y, j us t f ol low t he Or k, " s ai d C ap' n B il l. " He w il l b e o ur l ea de r, an d w he rever t he O rk f li es , y ou a re

t o f ly , a nd w he re ve r t he O rk l an ds , y ou a re t o l an d. I s t ha t s at is fa ct or y? "

T he b ir ds d ec la re d i t w as q ui te s at is fa ct or y, s o C ap 'n B il l t oo k c ou ns el w it h t he O rk . " On o ur w ay

h er e, " s ai d t ha t p ec ul ia r c re at ur e, " I n ot ic ed a b ro ad , s an dy d es er t a t t he l ef t o f m e, o n w hi ch w as n o l ivi ng

thing."

" Th en w e' d b et te r k ee p a wa y f ro m i t, " r ep li ed t he s ai lo r.

" No t s o, " i ns is te d t he O rk . " I h ave f oun d, on my t ra ve ls , t ha t t he m os t p le as an t c ou nt ri es o ft en l ie i n

t he m id st o f d es er ts , s o I t hi nk i t w oul d b e w is e f or u s t o f ly o ver t hi s de ser t a nd d is co ve r w hat l ies be yon d i t.

F or i n t he d ir ec ti on w e c am e f ro m

l ies t he o cea n, a s w e w el l k now , a nd b ey on d he re i s t hi s s tr an ge L an d of M o, w hi ch w e d o no t c ar e t o

ex pl or e. On o ne s ide , a s w e c an s ee f rom t hi s mo un ta in, i s a br oa d ex pan se o f p la in, a nd on t he o the r t he

d es er t. F or m y p ar t, I vo te f or t he d es er t. "

" Wh at d o y ou s ay , T ro t? " i nq ui re d C ap 'n B il l.

" It 's al l t he s am e t o m e, " s he r ep li ed .

N o o ne t ho ug ht o f a sk in g B ut to n- Br ig ht 's o pi ni on , s o i t w as d ec id ed t o f ly o ve r t he d es er t. T he y b ad eg oo db ye t o t he B um py M an a nd t ha nk ed h im f or h is k in dn es s a nd h os pi ta li ty . T he n t he y s ea te d t he ms el ve s

i n t he s wi ng s- - on e f or e ac h b ir d- - an d t ol d t he

Or k t o s tar t aw ay an d t hey w oul d f ol lo w. T he w hi rl o f t he Or k' s t ai l as ton is hed t he b ir ds a t f ir st , b ut a ft er h e

h ad g on e a s ho rt d is ta nc e t he y r os e i n t he a ir , c ar ry in g t he ir p as se ng er s e as il y, a nd f le w w it h s tr on g, r eg ul ar

s tr ok es o f t he ir g re at w in gs

i n t he w ak e o f t he ir l ea de r.

P a g e 2 7



C HA PT ER 9

THE KINGDOM OF JINXLAND

T ro t r od e w it h m or e c om fo rt t ha n s he h ad e xp ec te d, a lt ho ug h t he s wi ng s wa ye d s o m uc h t ha t s he

h ad t o h ol d o n t ig ht w it h b ot h h an ds . C ap 'n B il l' s b ir d f ol lo we d t he O rk , a nd T ro t c am e n ex t, w it h

B ut t on -B r ig ht t r ai l in g b eh in d h er . I t w as q ui te a n i mp os i ng

p ro ce ss io n, b ut u nf or tu na te ly t he re w as n o o ne t o s ee i t, f or t he O rk h ad h ea de d s tr ai gh t f or t he g re at , s an dy

d es er t, a nd i n a f ew m in ut es a ft er s ta rt in g t he y w er e f ly in g h ig h o ve r t he b ro ad w as te , w he re n o l ivi ng t hi ngc ou ld e xi st . T h e l it tl e g ir l t ho

ug ht t hi s w oul d be a b ad pl ac e f or t he b ir ds t o l os e s tr en gt h or f or t he c lo th r ope s t o gi ve w ay , b ut al th oug h

s he c ou ld n ot h el p f ee li ng a t ri fl e n er vo us a nd f id ge ty , s he h ad c on fi de nc e i n t he h ug e a nd b ri ll ia nt ly p lu ma ge d

b ir d t hat b or e he r, as w el l as

i n C ap' n Bi ll 's k no wl edg e o f h ow t o t wi st a nd f as ten a r ope s o i t w oul d ho ld.

T ha t w as a r em ar ka bl y b ig d es er t . T he re w as n ot hi ng t o r el ie ve t he m on ot on y o f vi ew , a nd e ve ry

m in ut e s ee me d a n h ou r a nd e ve ry h ou r a d ay . D is ag re ea bl e f um es a nd g as es r os e f ro m t he s an ds , w hi ch

w ou ld ha ve b ee n d ea dl y t o t he t ra ve le rs h ad t he y n ot b ee n

s o hi gh i n t he a ir . A s i t w as , T ro t w as b eg inn in g t o f ee l s ic k w hen a b re at h of f re sh er a ir f il le d h er n os tr il s,

a nd o n l oo ki ng a he ad s he s aw a g re at c lo ud o f p in k- ti nt ed m is t. E ve n w hi le s he w on de re d w ha t i t c ou ld b e,

t he Or k pl ung ed b ol dl y i nt o t he m

i st , a nd t he o th er b ir ds f ol lo we d. S he c ou ld s ee n ot hi ng f or a t im e, n or c ou ld t he b ir d w hi ch c ar ri ed h er s ee

w he re t he O rk ha d g one , b ut i t k ept f ly in g a s s tu rdi ly a s e ve r, a nd i n a f ew m om en ts t he m is t w as p as se d an d

t he g ir l s aw a m os t b ea ut if ul l an ds c

a pe s pr ea d o ut b el ow h er , e xt en di ng a s f ar a s h er e ye c ou ld r ea ch .

S he s aw b it s o f f or e st , ve rd ur e- cl ot he d h il ls , f ie ld s o f w avi ng g ra in s, f ou nt ai ns , r ive rs a nd l ak es , a nd

t hr ou gh ou t t he s ce ne w er e s ca tt er ed g ro up s o f p re tt y h ou se s a nd a f ew g ra nd c as tl es a nd p al ac es . O ve r a ll

t h is d el i gh t fu l l a nd s ca pe - -w hi c h f r om T r ot '

s h ig h p er ch s ee me d l ik e a m ag ni fi ce nt p ai nt ed p ic tu re -- wa s a r os y g lo w s uc h a s w e s om et im es s ee i n t he

w es t a t s un se t. I n t hi s c as e, h ow eve r, i t w as n ot i n t he w es t o nl y, b ut e ver ywher e. No w onder the Or k

p au se d t o c ir cl e s lo wl y o ve r t hi s l ove ly c ou nt r

y . T h e o th er b ir ds f ol lo we d h is a ct io n, a ll e ye in g t he p la ce w it h e qu al d el ig ht . T h en , a s w it h o ne a cc or d, t he

f ou r f or me d a g ro up a nd s lo wl y s ai le d d ow nw ar d. T hi s b ro ug ht t he m t o t ha t p ar t o f t he n ew ly d is co ve re d l an d

w hi ch b or de re d o n t he d es er t' s e d

g e. B ut i t w as j us t as p ret ty h er e as a ny wh er e, s o t he Or k a nd t he b ir ds a li gh ted , a nd t he t hr ee pa ss eng er sa t o nc e g ot o ut o f t he ir s wi ng s. " Oh , C ap 'n B il l, i sn 't t hi s f in e a n' d an dy ?" e xc la im ed T ro t r ap tu ro us ly . " Ho w

l uc ky w e w er e t o d is cover t hi s b e

autiful country!"

" Th e c ou nt ry s ee ms r at he r h ig h c la ss , I 'l l a dm it , T ro t, " r ep li ed t he o ld s ai lo r m an , l oo ki ng a ro un d h im ,

" bu t w e d on 't k no w, a s y et , w ha t i ts p eop le a re l ik e. "

" No on e c ou ld l ive i n s uc h a c ou nt ry w it hou t b ei ng h ap py an d go od , I 'm s ur e o f t hat ," s he s ai d

e ar ne s tl y . " D on 't y ou t hi nk s o, B ut t on - Br i gh t ?"

" I' m n ot t hi nk in g j us t no w, " an sw er ed t he l it tl e b oy . " It t ir es m e t o t hi nk , a nd I ne ve r s ee m t o gai n

a ny th in g by i t. W hen w e s ee t he p eo pl e w ho l ive he re, w e w il l k now w hat t he y ar e l ik e, and no 'm oun t o f

t hi nk in g w il l m ak e t he m a ny d if f er en t. "

" Th at 's t rue e nou gh ," s ai d t he Or k. " Bu t no w I w an t t o ma ke a p rop os al . W hi le y ou ar e g et ti ng

a cq ua in te d w it h t hi s n ew c ou nt ry , w hi ch l oo ks a s i f i t c on ta in s e ve ry th in g t o m ak e o ne h ap py , I w ou ld l ik e t of ly al ong all by myself and see if I c an f ind my

home on the ot her side of t he great deser t. If I do, I wil l s tay t her e, of cour se. But if I f ai l t o find Or kland, I

wi ll r et urn t o y ou in a w eek t o see i f I can do any thi ng mor e to ass is t y ou. "

T he y w er e s or ry t o l os e t he ir q ue er c om pa ni on , b ut c ou ld o ff er n o o bj ec ti on t o t he p la n, s o t he O rk

ba de t hem go odb ye, an d r is in g s wi ft ly i n t he a ir , he f le w o ve r t he c ou nt ry an d w as s oo n l os t t o vi ew i n t he

d is ta nc e. T he t hr ee b ir ds w hi ch h ad c ar ri ed o

u r f ri en ds n ow b eg ge d p er mi ss io n t o r et ur n b y t he w ay t he y h ad c om e t o t he ir o wn h om es , s ay in g t he y w er e

a nx io us t o s ho w t he ir f am il ie s h ow b ig t he y h ad b ec om e. S o C ap 'n B il l a nd T ro t a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht a ll

t ha nk ed t he m g ra te fu ll y f or t he ir a ss is t an ce , a n

d s oo n t he b ir ds b eg an t he ir l on g f li gh t t ow ar d t he L an d o f M o.

B ei ng n ow l ef t t o t he ms el ve s i n t hi s s tr an ge l an d, t he t hr ee c om ra de s s el ec te d a p re tt y p at hw ay a nd

b eg an w al ki ng a lo ng i t. T he y b el ie ve d t hi s p at h w ou ld l ea d t he m t o a s pl en di d c as tl e w hi ch t he y e sp ie d i n t he

d is t an ce , t he t ur r et s o f w hi ch t ow er ed f ar

above t he t op s o f t he t re es w hi ch s ur ro un de d i t. I t d id n ot s ee m ve ry f ar a wa y, s o t he y s au nt er ed o n s lo wl y,

a dm ir in g t he b ea ut if ul f er ns a nd f lo we rs t ha t l in ed t he p at hw ay a nd l is te ni ng t o t he s in gi ng o f t he b ir ds a nd t he

P a g e 2 8



s of t c hi r pi ng o f t he g ra ss ho pp e

rs.

P res ent ly t he p at h w ou nd ove r a l it tl e h il l. I n a va ll ey t ha t l ay b ey on d t he h il l w as a t in y c ot ta ge

s ur ro un de d b y f lo we r b ed s a nd f ru it t re es . O n t he s ha dy p or ch o f t he c ot ta ge t he y s aw , a s t he y a pp ro ac he d,

a p le as an t- fa ce d w om an s it t in g a mi ds t a g ro u

p o f c hi ld re n, t o w ho m s he w as t el li ng s to ri es . T he c hi ld re n q ui ck ly d is co ve re d t he s tr an ge rs a nd r an t ow ar d

t he m w it h e xc la ma ti on s o f a st on is hm en t, s o t ha t T ro t a nd h er f ri en ds b ec am e t he c en te r o f a c ur io us g ro up ,

a ll c ha t te r in g e xc i te dl y . C ap 'n B i ll 's w oo de n l eg s ee me d t o a ro us e t he w on de r o f t he c hi ld re n, a s t he y c ou ld n ot u nd er st an d w hy h e h ad n ot t wo

m ea t l eg s. T hi s a tt en ti on s ee me d t o p le as e t he o ld s ai lo r, w ho p at te d t he h ea ds o f t he c hi ld re n k in dl y a nd

t he n, r ai si ng hi s ha t t o t he w om an , h e i n

q ui re d, " Ca n y ou t el l u s, m ad am , j us t w ha t c ou nt ry t hi s i s? "

S he s ta re d h ar d a t a ll t hr ee o f t he s tr an ge rs a s s he r ep li ed b ri ef ly , " Ji nx la nd ."

" Oh !" e xc la im ed C ap 'n B il l w it h a p uz zl ed l oo k. " An d w he re i s J in xl an d, p le as e? "

" I n t he Q ua dl i ng C ou nt r y, " s ai d s he .

" Wh at !" c ri ed T ro t i n s udd en e xc it em ent . " Do y ou m ea n t o s ay t hi s i s t he Qu adl in g C ou nt ry of t he

L an d o f O z? "

" To be s ur e I do, " t he w om an ans we red . " Ever y b it of l an d t ha t i s s ur rou nde d by t he g rea t de se rt i s

t he Land of Oz, as y ou ought t o k now as w el l as I do. But I 'm s or ry to say that Ji nx land is separ ated f rom

t he r es t o f t he Q ua dl in g C ou nt ry b y t ha t r ow

of hi gh mo unt ai ns y ou s ee y onder , w hi ch ha ve s uc h s te ep s id es t ha t n o o ne c an c ro ss t he m. S o w e l ive her e

a ll b y ou rs el ve s a nd a re r ul ed b y o ur o wn K in g i ns tea d of by Oz ma o f Oz ."

" I' ve b ee n t o t he L an d o f O z b ef or e, " s ai d B ut to n- Br i gh t, " bu t I 've n eve r b ee n h er e. "

" Di d y ou e ve r h ea r o f J in xl an d b ef or e? " a sk ed T ro t.

" N o ," s a i d B u tt o n -B r i gh t .

" It i s o n t he Ma p o f O z, t ho ugh ," as se rt ed t he w om an , " an d i t' s a f in e c ou nt ry , I a ss ur e y ou . If o nl y, "

s he a dd ed , a nd t he n p au se d t o l oo k a ro un d h er w it h a f ri gh te ne d e xp re ss io n. " If o nl y- -" H er e s he s to pp ed

agai n, as if not dar ing t o go on wit h her s

peech.

" If o nl y w ha t, m a' am ?" a sk ed C ap 'n B il l.

T he w om an s en t t he c hi ld re n i nt o t he h ou se . T he n s he c am e c lo se r t o t he s tr an ge rs a nd w hi sp er ed ,

" If o nl y w e h ad a d if fe re nt K in g, w e w ou ld b e ve ry h ap py a nd c on te nt ed ."

" Wh at 's t he m at te r w it h y ou r K in g? " a sk ed T ro t c ur io us ly . B ut t he w om an s ee me d f ri gh te ne d t o h aves ai d s o m uc h. S he r et re at ed t o h er p or ch , m er el y s ay in g, " Th e K in g p un is he s s eve re ly a ny t re as on o n t he

p ar t o f h is s ub je ct s. "

" W ha t ' s t r e as o n? " a s k ed B u tt o n -B r i gh t .

" In t hi s c as e, " r ep li ed C ap 'n B il l, " tr ea so n s ee ms t o c on si st o f k no ck in ' t he K in g, b ut I g ue ss w e

k no w hi s di sp os it io n n ow a s w el l as i f t he l ady h ad s ai d m or e. "

" I w on de r, " s ai d T ro t, g oi ng u p t o t he w om an , " if y ou c ou ld s pa re u s s om et hi ng t o e at . W e h ave n' t

h ad a ny th in g b ut p op co rn a nd l em on ad e f or a l on g t im e. "

" Bl es s y ou r h ea rt ! O f c ou rs e I c an s pa re y ou s om e f oo d, " t he w om an a ns we re d, a nd e nt er in g h er

c ot ta ge s he s oo n r et ur ne d w it h a t ra y l oa de d w it h s an dw ic he s, c ak es a nd c he es e. O ne o f t he c hi ld re n d re w

a bu ck et of c le ar , c ol d w at er f ro m a s pr ing , an d t he

t hr ee w an de re rs a te h ea rt il y a nd e nj oy ed t he g oo d t hi ng s i mm en se ly . W h en B ut t on -B r ig ht c ou ld e at n o

m or e, h e f il le d t he p oc ke ts o f h is j ac ke t w it h c ak es a nd c he es e, a nd n ot e ve n t he c hi ld re n o bj ec te d t o t hi s.I nd ee d, t he y al l s eem ed pl ea sed t o s ee t he s

t ra ng er s e at , s o C ap 'n B il l d ec id ed t ha t n o m at te r w ha t t he K in g o f J in xl an d w as l ik e, t he p eo pl e w ou ld p ro ve

friendly and hospitable.

" Wh os e c as tl e i s t ha t y on de r, m a' am ?" h e a sk ed , w avi ng h is h an d t ow ar d t he t ow er s t ha t r os e a bo ve

t h e t r ee s.

" It b el on gs t o h is M aj es ty , K in g K re wl ," s he s ai d.

" Oh , i nd ee d. A nd d oe s h e l ive t he re ?"

" Wh en h e i s n ot o ut h un ti ng w it h h is f ie rc e c ou rt ie rs a nd w ar c ap ta in s, " s he r ep li ed .

" Is h e h un ti ng n ow ?" T ro t i nq ui re d.

" I d o no t k now , m y de ar . T he l es s w e k now ab ou t t he K in g' s a ct ion s, t he s af er w e a re ."

I t w as e vi de nt t he w om an d id n ot l ik e t o t al k a bo ut K in g K re wl a nd s o, h avi ng f in is he d t he ir m ea l, t he y

s ai d g oo db ye a nd c on ti nu ed a lo ng t he p at hw ay . " Do n' t y ou t hi nk w e' d b et te r k ee p a wa y f ro m t ha t K in g' s

c as tl e, C ap 'n ?" a sk ed T r ot .

" We ll ," s ai d h e, " Ki ng K rew l w ou ld f ind ou t s oo ner o r l at er t ha t w e a re i n hi s c ou nt ry , s o w e ma y a s

w el l f ac e t he m us ic n ow . P er ha ps h e i sn 't q ui te s o b ad a s t ha t w om an t hi nk s h e i s. K ing s a ren 't a lw ay s

P a g e 2 9



p op ul ar w it h t he ir p eo pl e, y ou k no w, e ve n i f t he

y do the bes t they k now how ."

" Oz ma i s p op 'l a r, " s ai d B ut t on - Br i gh t.

" Oz ma i s d if f' re nt f ro m a ny o th er R ul er , f ro m a ll I 've h ea rd ," r em ar ke d T ro t m us in gl y a s s he w al ke d

b es id e t he b oy . " An d a ft er a ll , w e a re r ea ll y i n t he L an d o f O z, w he re O zm a r ul es e v' ry K in g a nd e v' ry bo dy

e ls e. I n eve r h ea rd o f a ny bo dy g et ti ng h ur t i

n h er d om in io ns , d id y ou , B ut to n- B ri gh t? "

" No t w he n s he k no ws a bou t i t, " he r epl ie d. " But t hos e b ir ds l an ded us i n j us t t he w ron g p la ce ,s ee ms t o m e. T he y m ig ht h ave c ar ri ed u s r ig ht o n o ve r t ha t r ow o f m ou nt ai ns t o t he E m' ra ld C it y. "

" Tr ue e nou gh, " s ai d C ap' n B il l, " but t he y d idn 't , an ' s o w e m us t m ak e t he b es t of J in xl an d. Le t's t ry

n ot t o b e a fr ai d. "

" Oh , I 'm n ot ve ry s ca re d, " s ai d B ut to n- Br ig ht , p au si ng t o l oo k a t a p in k r ab bi t t ha t p op pe d i ts h ea d

ou t of a h ol e i n t he f ie ld ne ar by .

" No r a m I ," a dd ed T ro t. " Re al ly , C ap 'n , I 'm s o g la d t o b e a ny wh er e a t a ll i n t he w on de rf ul f ai ry la nd o f

O z t hat I t hi nk I 'm t he l uc ki es t g ir l i n a ll t he w or ld . D or ot hy l ives i n t he E m' ra ld C it y, y ou k no w, a nd s o d oes

t he S ca re cr ow a nd t he T in W oo dm an a

n d T ik -T ok a nd t he S ha gg y M an -- an d a ll t he r es t o f ' em t ha t w e' ve h ea rd s o m uc h a bo ut -- no t t o m en ti on

O zm a, w ho m us t b e t he s we et es t a nd l ove li es t g ir l i n t he w or ld !"

" Ta ke y ou r t im e, T ro t, " a dvi se d B ut to n- Br ig ht . " Yo u d on 't h ave t o s ay i t a ll i n o ne b re at h, y ou k no w.

And you haven't mentioned half of the curious people in the Em'rald City."

" Th at ' er e E m' ra ld C it y, " s ai d C ap 'n B il l i mp re ss ive ly , " ha pp en s t o b e o n t he o th er s id e o ' t ho se

mo un ta ins t hat w e' re t ol d no o ne i s ab le t o c ros s. I do n' t w ant t o d is co ur ag e of y ou, T ro t, ( si c) bu t w e' re

a 'm os t a s m uc h s ep ar at ed f ro m y ou r O zm a a n' D or

o th y a s w e w er e w he n w e l ive d i n C al if or ny ."

T her e w as s o m uc h t rut h i n t hi s s ta tem en t t ha t t hey al l w al ke d on i n s il en ce f or s ome t im e. F in al ly ,

t he y r ea ch ed t he g ro ve o f s ta te ly t re es t ha t b or de re d t he g ro un ds o f t he K in g' s c as tl e. T he y h ad g on e h al fw ay

t hr ou gh i t w he n t he s ou nd o f s ob bi ng , a s

o f s om eo ne i n b it te r d is tr es s, r ea ch ed t he ir e ar s a nd c au se d t he m t o h al t a br up tl y.

P a g e 3 0



CHAPTER 10

P ON , T HE G AR DE NE R' S B OY

I t w as B ut to n- Br ig ht w ho f ir st d is co ve re d, l yi ng o n h is f ac e b en ea th a b ro ad , s pr ea di ng t re e n ea r t he

pa th way , a y ou ng ma n w ho se bod y s hoo k w it h t he f or ce of hi s s ob s. H e w as dr es sed i n a l on g, br ow n

s mo ck a nd h ad s an da ls o n h is f ee t, b et ok en in g o ne i n

h um bl e l if e. H is h ea d w as b ar e a nd s ho we d a s ho ck o f b ro wn , c ur ly h ai r. B ut to n- Br ig ht l oo ke d d ow n o n t he

y ou ng m an a nd s ai d, " Wh o c ar es , a ny ho w? "" I d o! " c ri ed t he y ou ng m an , i nt er ru pt in g h is s ob s t o r ol l o ve r, f ac e u pw ar d t ha t h e m ig ht s ee w ho h ad

s po ke n. " I c ar e, f or m y h ea rt i s b ro ke n! "

" Ca n' t y ou g et a no th er o ne ?" a sk ed t he l it tl e b oy .

" I d on 't w an t a no th er !" w ai le d t he y ou ng m an .

B y t hi s t im e T ro t an d C ap' n B il l a rr ived a t t he s pot , a nd t he g ir l l ea ne d over a nd s ai d i n a s ym pat het ic

vo ic e, " Te ll u s y ou r t ro ub le s a nd p er ha ps w e m ay h el p y ou ."

T he y ou th s at u p, t he n, a nd b ow ed p ol it el y. A ft er wa rd h e g ot u po n h is f ee t, b ut s ti ll k ep t w ri ng in g h is

h an ds a s he t ri ed t o c ho ke d ow n h is s ob s. T rot t hou gh t h e w as ver y br ave t o c ont ro l s uc h a wf ul ag on y s o

w el l. " My n ame i s P on ," h e b eg an . " I' m t he

gardener's boy."

" Th en t he g ar de ne r o f t he K in g i s y ou r f at he r, I s up po se ," s ai d T ro t.

" No t m y f at her , b ut m y ma st er ," w as t he r epl y. " I d o t he w or k a nd t he g ar de ner g ives t he o rd er s.

And it was not my fault in the least that the Princess Gloria fell in love with me."

" Di d s he , r ea ll y? " a sk ed t he l it tl e g ir l.

" I d on 't s ee w hy ," r em ar ke d B ut to n- Br ig ht , s ta ri ng a t t he y ou th .

" An d w ho m ay t he P ri nc es s G lo ri a b e? " i nq ui re d C ap 'n B il l.

" Sh e i s t he ni ec e of K in g K rew l, w ho i s h er gu ar di an . T h e P ri nc es s l ive s i n t he c as tl e a nd i s t he

l ove li es t a nd s we et es t m ai de n i n a ll J in xl an d. S he i s f on d o f f lo we rs a nd u se d t o w al k i n t he g ar de ns w it h h er

a tt en da nt s. A t s uc h t im es , i f I w as w or ki n

g at my t as ks , I us ed to cast down my ey es as Glor ia pass ed me. But one day I glanced up and f ound her

g az in g a t m e w it h a ver y t en de r l oo k i n h er e ye s. T he ne xt d ay s he d is mi ss ed h er a tt en da nt s a nd , c om in g t o

my s ide, began to t al k w it h me. S he s aid I

had t ouc he d her hear t as no ot her y oung man h ad eve r d on e. I k is sed he r h and . J us t t he n, t he K ing c ame

around a bend in t he wal k. He s tr uc k me wit h hi s fi st and kic ked me wit h hi s foot. Then he seiz ed t he ar m of

t he P ri nc es s a nd r ud el y d ra gg ed h er i nto the castle."

" W as n 't h e a w fu l !" g a sp ed T r ot i n di g na nt l y.

" He i s a ver y a br upt K in g, " s ai d P on , " so i t w as t he l ea st I c ou ld e xp ec t. U p t o t ha t t im e I h ad no t

t ho ug ht o f l ovi ng P ri nc es s G lo ri a, b ut r ea li zi ng i t w ou ld b e i mp ol it e n ot t o r et ur n h er l ove , I d id s o. W e m et a t

eve ni ng , n ow a nd t he n, a nd s he t ol d m e

t he K in g w an te d h er t o m ar ry a r ic h c ou rt ie r n am ed G oo gl y- Go o, w ho i s o ld e no ug h t o b e G lo ri a' s f at he r.

S he h as r ef us ed G oo gl y- Go o t hi rt y- ni ne t im es , b ut h e s ti ll p er si st s a nd h as b ro ug ht m an y r ic h p re se nt s t o

b ri be t he K in g. O n t ha t a cc ou nt , K in g K re wl

ha d c om ma nd ed h is ni ec e t o ma rr y t he ol d ma n, bu t t he P ri nc es s ha s as su red m e t im e an d a gai n t hat s he

w il l w ed o nl y m e. Th is m or ni ng w e h ap pe ne d t o m ee t i n t he g ra pe a rb or , a nd a s I w as r es pe ct fu ll y s al ut in g

t he c he ek of t he P ri nc es s, t wo of t he K in g' s

g ua rd s s ei ze d m e a nd b ea t m e t er ri bl y b ef or e t he ve ry e ye s o f G lo ri a, w ho m t he K in g h im se lf h el d b ac k s os he c ou ld n ot i nt er f er e. "

" Wh y, t hi s K in g m us t b e a m on st er !" c ri ed T ro t.

" He i s f ar w or se t ha n t ha t, " s ai d P on m ou rn fu ll y.

" Bu t s ee h er e, " i nt er ru pt ed C ap 'n B il l, w ho h ad l is te ne d c ar ef ul ly t o P on . " Th is K in g m ay n ot b e s o

m uc h t o b la me , a ft er a ll . K i ng s a re p ro ud f ol ks , b ec au se t he y' re s o h ig h a n' m ig ht y, a n' i t i sn 't r ea so na bl e f or

a r oy al P ri nc es s t o m ar ry a c omm on ga rd

e n er ' s b o y. "

" It i sn 't r ig ht ," d ec la re d B ut to n- Br ig ht . " A P ri nc es s s ho ul d m ar ry a P ri nc e. "

" I' m no t a c omm on g ar den er 's b oy ," p ro tes ted P on. " If I h ad my r ig ht s, I w oul d b e t he K ing i ns te ad of

Kr ew l. As it is , I 'm a P rinc e, and as r oy al as any man i n Ji nxl and."

" Ho w d oe s t ha t c om e? " a sk ed C ap 'n B il l.

" My f at he r u se d t o b e t he K ing , a nd K rew l w as h is P ri me M in is te r. B ut o ne da y w hi le o ut h unt in g,

K in g P he ar se -- th at w as m y f at he r' s n am e- -h ad a q ua rr el w it h K re wl a nd t ap pe d h im g en tl y o n t he n os e w it h

t he k nu ck le s o f h is c lo se d h an d. T hi s s o p ro vo ke d

t he w ic ke d K re wl t ha t he t ri pp ed m y f at he r ba ck wa rd s o t ha t h e f el l i nt o a d ee p p on d. A t on ce , K rew l t hr ew i n

P a g e 3 1



a mas s of he avy s to ne s, w hi ch s o w ei ght ed d ow n my p oo r f at he r t ha t hi s b od y c oul d no t r is e a ga in t o t he

s ur fa ce . I t i s i mp os si bl e t o k il l a ny on e

i n t hi s l an d, a s p er hap s y ou k now , b ut w he n my f at her w as pr es sed d ow n i nt o t he mu d at t he b ot tom o f t he

de ep po ol and t he s ton es hel d h im s o h e c oul d n ever es ca pe, he w as o f no mo re us e t o hi ms el f o r t he w or ld

t han i f he h ad di ed. Kn ow in g t hi s, Kr ew l p

r oc la im ed h im se lf K in g, t ak in g p os se ss io n o f t he r oy al c as tl e a nd d ri vi ng a ll m y f at he r' s p eo pl e o ut . I w as a

s ma ll b oy t he n, b ut w he n I g re w u p I b ec am e a g ar de ne r. I h ave s er ve d K in g K re wl w it ho ut h is k no wi ng t ha t I

am t he s on of t he s ame K in g P hea rs ew ho m h e s o c ru el ly m ad e a wa y w it h. "

" My , b ut t ha t' s a t er r' bl y e xc it in g s to ry !" s ai d T ro t, d raw in g a l on g b re at h. " Bu t t el l u s, P on, w ho w as

Gloria's father?"

" Oh , h e w as t he K in g b ef or e m y f at he r, " r ep li ed P on . " Fa th er w as P ri me M in is te r f or K in g K yn d, w ho

w as Gl or ia 's f at he r. S he w as on ly a b ab y w hen K in g K yn d f el l i nt o t he G re at Gu lf t ha t l ies j us t t hi s s ide o f t he

m o un t ai n s- - t he s a me m o un t ai n s t h at s e pa r

at e J in xl and f ro m t he r es t of t he La nd o f Oz . It i s s ai d t he G re at Gu lf h as no b ot tom , bu t ho wever t ha t ma y

b e, K in g K yn d h as n eve r b ee n s ee n a ga in , a nd m y f at he r b ec am e K in g i n h is p la ce ."

" Se em s t o m e, " s ai d T ro t, " th at i f G lo ri a h ad h er r ig ht s, s he w ou ld b e Q ue en o f J in xl an d. "

" We ll , h er f at her w as a K in g, " ad mi tt ed P on, " an d s o w as my f at he r, s o w e a re o f e qu al r an k,

al th ough s he 's a gr eat l ady an d I 'm a hum bl e g ar dener 's boy . I c an't s ee wh y w e s houl d not m ar ry i f w e w ant

t o- -e xc ep t t ha t K in g K re wl w on 't l et u s. "

" It 's a s or t o f m ix ed -u p m es s, t ak en a lt og et he r, " r em ar ke d C ap 'n B il l. " Bu t w e a re o n o ur w ay t o vi s it

K ing K rew l, an d i f w e get a c han ce, y ou ng man , w e'l l put i n a g oo d w or d f or y ou ."

" D o, p l ea s e! " b eg ge d P o n.

" Wa s i t t he f lo gg in g y ou g ot t ha t b ro ke y ou r h ea r t? " i nq ui r ed B ut t on -B ri gh t.

" Wh y, i t h el pe d t o b re ak i t, o f c ou rs e, " s ai d P on .

" I' d g et i t f ix ed u p, i f I w er e y ou ," ad vi se d t he b oy , t os si ng a pe bb le a t a c hi pm un k i n a t re e. " Yo u

o ug ht t o g ive G lo ri a j us t a s g oo d a h ea rt a s s he g ive s y ou ."

" Th at ' s c om mo n s en se ," a gr ee d C ap 'n B il l. S o t he y l ef t t he g ar de ne r' s b oy s ta nd in g b es id e t he p at h

a nd r es um ed t he ir j ou rn ey t ow ar d t he c as tl e.

P a g e 3 2



CHAPTER 11

T HE W IC K ED K I NG A N D G OO GL Y- GO O

W he n o ur f r ie nd s a pp ro ac he d t he g re at d oo rw ay o f t he c as tl e, t he y f ou nd i t g ua rd ed b y s eve ra l

s ol di er s d re ss ed i n s pl en di d u ni fo rm s. T he y w er e a rm ed w it h s wo rd s a nd l an ce s. C a p' n B il l w al ke d s tr ai gh t

u p t o t he m a nd a sk ed , " Do es t he K ing h app en t o b e at

home?"

" Hi s M ag ni fi ce nt a nd G lo ri ou s M aj es ty K in g K re wl i s a t p re se nt i nh ab it in g h is R oy al C as tl e, " w as t hes t i ff r e pl y .

" Th en I g ue ss w e' ll g o i n a n' s ay h ow -d 'y e- do ," c on ti nu ed C ap 'n B il l, a tt em pt in g t o e nt er t he d oo rw ay .

B ut a s ol di er b ar red h is w ay w it h a l an ce .

" Wh o a re y ou , w ha t a re y ou r n am es , a nd w he re d o y ou c om e f ro m? " d em an de d t he s ol di er .

" Yo u w ou ld n' t k no w i f w e t ol d y ou ," r et ur ne d t he s ai lo r, " se ei n' a s w e' re s tr an ge rs i n a s tr an ge l an d. "

" Or , i f y ou a re s tr an ge rs , y ou w il l b e p er mi tt ed t o e nt er ," s ai d t he s ol di er , l ow er in g h is l an ce . " Hi s

M a j e s ty i s ve r y f o nd o f s t r an g er s ."

" Do m an y s t ra ng er s c om e h er e? " a sk ed T ro t.

" Yo u a re t he f ir st t ha t e ve r c am e t o o ur c ou nt ry ," s ai d t he m an. " Bu t h is M aj es ty h as o ft en s ai d t ha t

i f s t ra ng er s e ve r a rr ive d i n J i nx l an d, h e w ou ld s ee t ha t t he y h ad a ve r y e x ci t in g t i me . "

C ap 'n B i ll s c ra tc he d h is c hi n t h ou gh t fu ll y . H e w as n' t ve ry f avo r ab ly i m pr es s ed b y t h is l a st r e ma r k.

B ut h e d ec ide d t ha t as t he re w as n o w ay of e sc ap e f rom J in xl and , i t w oul d b e w is e t o c onf ro nt t he Ki ng bo ldl y

a nd t ry t o w in h is f avor . S o t he y en te re d

t he c as tl e, e sc or te d b y o ne o f t he s ol di er s.

I t w as c er ta in ly a f in e c as tl e, w it h m an y l ar ge r oo ms , a ll b ea ut if ul ly f ur ni sh ed . T he p as sa ge s w er e

w in di ng a nd h an ds om el y d ec or at ed , a nd a ft er f ol lo wi ng s eve ra l o f t he se , t he s ol di er l ed t he m i nt o a n o pe n

c ou rt t ha t o cc up ie d t he ve ry c en te r o f t he h ug e

b ui ld in g. I t w as s ur ro un de d o n e ve ry s i de b y h ig h, t ur r et ed w al ls , a nd c on ta in ed b ed s o f f l ow er s , f ou nt ai ns

a nd w al ks o f m an y- co lo re d m ar bl es w hi ch w er e m at ch ed t og et he r i n q ua in t d es ig ns . I n a n o pe n s pa ce n ea r

t he mi ddl e o f t he c our t t hey s aw a gr ou p

o f c ou rt ie rs a nd t he ir l ad ie s w ho s ur ro un de d a l ea n m an w ho w or e u po n h is h ea d a j ew el ed c ro wn . H is f ac e

w as h ar d a nd s ul le n, a nd t hr ou gh t he s li ts o f h is h al f- cl os ed e ye li ds t he e ye s g lo we d l ik e c oa ls o f f ir e. H e

w as d re ss ed i n b ri ll ia nt s at in s a nd ve l

ve ts a nd w as s ea te d i n a g ol de n t hr on e c ha ir .

T hi s pe rs on ag e w as K in g K re wl , an d as s oon a s C ap' n B il l s aw hi m, t he o ld s ai lo r k new at on ce t ha th e w as no t g oi ng t o l ik e t he K ing of J in xl an d. " Hel lo ! W ho 's h er e?" s ai d h is Ma je st y w it h a de ep s cow l.

" St r an ge rs , S ir e, " a ns we re d t he s ol di er , b ow i ng s o l ow t ha t h is f or eh ea d t ou ch ed t he m ar bl e t i le s.

" St r an ge r s, e h? W el l , w el l, w ha t a n u ne xp ec t ed vi s it ! A d va nc e, s tr an ge rs , a nd g ive a n a cc ou nt o f

yourselves."

T he K in g' s vo ic e w as a s h ar sh a s h is f ea tu re s. T ro t s hu dd er ed a l it tl e, b ut C ap 'n B il l c al ml y r ep li ed ,

" The re a in 't m uc h f or u s t o s ay , 'c ep t a s w e' ve ar rived t o l ook o ver y ou r c ou nt ry an' s ee ho w w e l ik e i t. J udg in'

f ro m t he w ay y ou s pe ak , y ou d on 't k

no w w ho w e ar e, or y ou 'd b e j um pi n' up t o s ha ke ha nd s a n' o ff er u s s eat s. K in gs us ual ly t re at u s p re tt y w el l

i n t he g re at b ig O ut si de W or ld w he re w e c om e f ro m, b ut i n t hi s l it tl e k in gd om -- wh ic h d on 't a mo un t t o m uc h,

a ny ho w- -f ol ks d on 't s ee m t o ' a' g ot m u

c h c ul c hu r e. " ( s ic )

T he K in g l is te ne d w it h a ma ze me nt t o t hi s b ol d s pe ec h, f ir st w it h a f ro wn a nd t he n g az in g a t t he t woc hi ld re n a nd t he o ld s ai lo r w it h e vi de nt c ur io si ty . T he c ou rt ie rs w er e d um b w it h f ea r, f or n o o ne h ad e ver dar ed

s pe ak i n s uc h a m an ne r t o t he ir s el f- wi l

l ed , c r ue l K in g b ef or e . H is M aj es t y, h ow eve r, w as s om ew ha t f ri gh te ne d, f or c ru el p eo pl e a re a lw ay s c ow ar ds ,

a nd h e f ea re d t he se m ys te ri ou s s tr an ge rs m ig ht p os se ss m ag ic p ow er s t ha t w ou ld d es tr oy h im u nl es s h e

t re at ed t he m w el l. S o h e c om ma nd ed h is p eo pl

e t o g ive t he n ew a rr iva ls s ea ts , a nd t he y o be ye d w it h t re mb li ng h as te .

After being seated, Cap'n Bill lighted his pipe and began puffing smoke from it, a sight so strange to

t he m t ha t i t f il le d t he m w it h w on de r. P re se nt ly , t he K in g a sk ed , " Ho w d id y ou p en et ra te t o t hi s h id de n

c ou nt ry ? D id y ou c ros s t he d es er t or t he m oun t

ains?"

" De se rt ," a ns we re d C ap 'n B il l, t al ki ng a s i f t he t as k w er e t oo e as y t o b e w or th t al ki ng a bo ut .

" In de ed ! N o o ne ha s e ve r b ee n a bl e t o d o t ha t b ef or e, " s ai d t he K in g.

" We ll , i t' s e as y e no ug h i f y ou k no w h ow ," a ss er te d C ap 'n B il l s o c ar el es sl y t ha t i t g re at ly i mp re ss ed

h is h ea re rs . T he K in g s hi ft ed i n h is t hr on e u ne as il y. H e w as m or e a fr ai d o f t he se s tr an ge rs t ha n b ef or e.

" Do y ou i nt en d t o s ta y l on g i n J in xl an d? " w as h is n ex t a nx io us q ue st io n.

P a g e 3 3



" Dep end s o n ho w w e l ik e i t, " s ai d C ap 'n B il l. " Jus t n ow I m ig ht s ug ge st t o y our Ma je st y t o or de r

s ome r oom s go t r ea dy f or u s i n y our di nk y l it tl e c as tl e he re. A nd a r oy al b an que t, w it h s om e f ri ed on io ns a n'

p ic kl ed t ri pe , w ou ld s et e as y o n o ur s to mi ck s

( si c) a n' m ak e u s a b it h ap pi er t han w e ar e now ."

" Yo ur w is he s s ha ll b e a tt en de d t o, " s ai d K in g K re wl , b ut h is e ye s f la sh ed f ro m b et we en t he ir s li ts i n

a w ic ke d w ay t ha t m ad e T ro t h op e t he f oo d w ou ld n' t b e p oi so ne d. A t t he K in g' s c om ma nd s eve ra l o f t he

a tt en da nt s h as te ne d a wa y t o g ive t he p ro pe r o rd er s

t o t h e c a st l e s e rva nt s , a nd n o s oo ne r w er e t he y g on e t ha n a s ki nn y o ld m an e nt er ed t he c ou rt ya rd a ndb ow ed b ef or e t he K in g. T hi s d is ag re ea bl e p er s on w as d re ss ed i n r ic h ve lve ts , w it h m an y f u rb el ow s a nd l ac es .

H e w as c ove re d w it h g ol de n c ha in s, f i ne ly w

r ou gh t r in gs a nd j ew el ed o rn am en ts . He w al ke d w it h m in ci ng s te ps a nd g la re d a t a ll o f t he c ou rt ie rs a s i f h e

c on si de re d h im se lf f ar s up er io r t o a ny o r a ll o f t he m.

" We ll , w el l, y ou r M aj es ty , w ha t n ew s, w ha t n ew s? " h e d em an de d i n a s hr il l, c ra ck ed vo ic e.

T he K in g g ave h im a s ur l y l oo k. " N o n ew s , L or d G oo gl y- Go o, e xc ep t t h at s t ra ng er s h ave a rr ive d. "

G oo gl y- Go o c as t a c on te mp tu ou s g la nc e a t C ap 'n B il l a nd a d is da in fu l o ne a t T ro t a nd B ut t on -B ri gh t.

T he n h e s ai d, " St ra ng er s d o n ot i nt er es t m e, y ou r M aj es ty . B ut t he P ri nc es s G lo ri a i s ve ry i nt er es ti ng , ve ry

i nt er es ti ng i nd ee d! W ha t d oe s s he s ay , S ir

e ? W il l s he m ar ry me ?"

" As k h er ," r et or te d t he K in g.

" I h ave , m an y t im es , a nd e ve ry t im e s he h as r ef us ed ."

" We ll ?" s ai d t he K in g h ar sh ly .

" We ll ," s ai d G oo gl y- Go o i n a j au nt y t on e, " a b ir d t ha t C AN s ing an d W ON 'T s ing mu st be MA DE t o

sing."

" Hu h! " s nee red t he K in g. " Tha t's e as y, w it h a b ir d. B ut a gi rl i s h ar der t o m an age ."

" S ti l l, " p er s is t ed G oo gl y -G oo , " w e m us t o ve rc om e d if f ic ul ti es . T he c hi ef t r ou bl e i s t ha t G lo ri a f an ci es

s he l ove s t ha t m is er ab le g ar de ne r' s b oy , P on . S up po se w e t hr ow P on i nt o t he G re at G ul f, y ou r M aj es ty ?"

" It w ou ld d o y ou n o g oo d, " r et ur ne d t he K in g. "S he w ou ld s ti ll l ove h im ."

" To o b ad , t oo b ad !" s ig he d G oo gl y- Go o. " I h ave l ai d a si de m or e t ha n a b us he l o f p re ci ou s g em s,

e ac h w or th a k in g' s r an so m, t o p re se nt t o y ou r Ma je st y on t he d ay I w ed G lo ri a. "

T he K in g' s e ye s s pa rk le d, f or h e l ove d w ea lt h a bo ve e ve ry th in g, b ut t he n ex t m om en t h e f r ow ne d

d eep ly a ga in . " It w on' t h el p t o k il l P on ," h e m ut te re d. " Wha t w e m us t d o i s k il l G lo ri a' s l ove f or P on. "

" Th at i s b et te r, i f y ou c an f in d a w ay t o d o i t, " a gr ee d G oo gl y- Go o. " Eve ry th in g w ou ld c om e r ig ht i f

y ou c ou ld k il l Gl or ia' s l ove f or t ha t g ar den er 's b oy . R ea ll y, S ir e, n ow t ha t I c om e t o t hi nk of i t, t her e m us t b ef ul ly a bus hel an d a hal f o f t ho se j ew

els!"

J us t t he n a m es se ng er e nt er ed t he c ou rt t o s ay t ha t t he b an qu et w as p re pa re d f or t he s tr an ge rs . S o

C ap 'n B il l, T ro t a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht e nt er ed t he c as tl e a nd w er e t ak en t o a r oo m w he re a f in e f ea st w as s pr ea d

u po n t he t ab le .

" I d on 't l ik e t ha t L or d G oo gl y- Go o, " r em ar ke d T ro t a s s he w as b us il y e at in g.

" No r I ," s ai d C ap 'n B il l. " Bu t f rom t he t al k I h ea rd, I gu es s t he ga rd en er 's b oy w on 't ge t t he

Princess."

" Pe rh ap s n ot ," r et ur ne d t he g ir l, " bu t I h op e o ld G oo gl y d oe sn 't g et h er , e it he r. "

" Th e K in g m ea ns t o s el l h er f or a ll t ho se j ew el s, " o bs er ve d B ut to n- Br ig ht , h is m ou th h al f f ul l o f c ak e

a nd j am .

" Po or P ri nc es s! " s ig he d T ro t. " I' m s or ry f or h er , a lt ho ug h I 've n eve r s ee n h er . B ut i f s he s ay s n o t oG oo gl y- Go o a nd m ea ns i t, w ha t c an t he y d o? "

" Do n' t l et u s w or ry a bo ut a s tr an ge P ri nc es s, " a dvi se d C ap 'n B il l. " I' ve a n ot io n w e' re n ot t oo s af e

o ur se lve s w i th t h is c r ue l K i ng . "

T he t wo c hi ld re n f el t t he s am e w ay , a nd a ll t hr ee w er e r at he r s ol em n d ur in g t he r em ai nd er o f t he

m ea l. W h en t he y h ad e at en , t he s er va nt s e sc or te d t he m t o t he ir r oo ms . C ap 'n B il l' s r oo m w as w ay t o o ne

e nd o f t he c as tl e, ve ry h ig h u p, a nd T ro t' s r oo m w as

at t he op po si te e nd, r at her l ow d ow n. A s f or B ut to n- Br ig ht , t he y p la ce d h im i n t he m idd le s o t ha t a ll w er e a s

f ar a pa rt a s t he y c ou ld p os si bl y b e. T he y d id n' t l ik e t hi s a rr an ge me nt ve ry w el l, b ut a ll t he r oo ms w er e

h an ds o me ly f u rn i sh e d, a nd b e in g g ue s t

s o f t he K in g, t he y da re d n ot c omp la in .

After the strangers had left the courtyard, the King and Googly-Goo had a long talk together, and the

K in g s ai d, " I c an no t f or ce G lo ri a t o m ar ry y ou j us t n ow , b ec au se t he se s tr an ge rs m ay i nt er fe re . I s us pe ct

t ha t t he w oo de n- le gg ed m an p os se ss es g re at m a

g ic al p ow er s, o r h e w ou ld n ever h ave b ee n a bl e t o c ar ry h im se lf a nd t ho se c hi ld re n a cr os s t he d ea dl y d es er t. "

" I d on 't l ik e h im ; h e l oo ks d an ge ro us , " a ns we re d G oo gl y- Go o. " Bu t p er ha ps y ou a re m is t ak en a bo ut

P a g e 3 4



h is b ei ng a w iz ar d. W hy d on 't y ou t es t h is p ow er s? "

" Ho w? " a sk ed t h e K in g.

" Se nd f or t he W ic ke d W it ch . S he w il l t el l y ou i n a m om en t w he th er t ha t w oo de n- le gg ed p er so n i s a

c om mo n m an o r a m ag ic ia n. "

" Ha! T hat 's a g oo d i de a, " c ri ed t he K in g. " Why d idn 't I t hi nk o f t he W ic ke d W it ch b ef or e? B ut t he

w om an d em an ds r ic h r ew ar ds f or h er s er vi c e s. "

" Ne ve r m in d. I w il l p ay h er , " p ro mi s ed t he w ea lt hy G oo gl y- Go o.

S o a s er va nt w as d is pa tc he d t o s um mo n t he W ic ke d W it ch , w ho l ive d b ut a f ew l ea gu es f ro m K in gK r ew l 's c as t le . W hi l e t he y a wa it ed h er , t he w i th er ed o ld c ou rt i er p ro po se d t ha t t he y p ay a vi s i t t o P r i nc e ss

Gloria and see if s he was not now in a mor e compla

i sa nt m oo d. S o t he t wo s ta rt ed a wa y t og et he r a nd s ea rc he d t he c as tl e o ve r w it ho ut f in di ng G lo ri a. A t l as t

G oo gl y- Go o s ug ge st ed s he m ig ht b e i n t he r ea r g ar de n, w hi ch w as a l ar ge p ar k f il le d w it h b us he s a nd t re es

a nd s ur ro un de d b y a h ig h w al l. A nd w ha t

w as t he ir ang er w he n t hey t ur ne d a c or ne r o f t he pat h t o f ind, i n a q ui et n ook , t he b eau ti fu l P ri nc es s an d

k n ee l in g b ef o re h er P on , t he g ar d en er ' s b oy !

W it h a r oar of r ag e, t he Ki ng d as he d f or war d, but P on had s cal ed t he w al l by m ean s of a l add er ,

w hi ch s ti ll s to od i n i ts pl ac e, an d w he n he s aw t he K ing c om ing , he r an u p t he l ad de r an d ma de g oo d hi s

e sc ap e. B ut t hi s l ef t G lo ri a c on fr on te d b y h er a ng ry g

u ar di an , t he K in g, a nd b y o ld G oo gl y- Go o, w ho w as t re mb li ng w it h a f ur y h e c ou ld n ot e xp re ss i n w or ds .

S ei zi ng t he P ri nc es s b y h er ar m, t he K ing dr agg ed he r b ac k t o t he c as tl e. P us hi ng h er i nt o a r oo m o n t he

l ow er f lo or , h e l oc ke d t he d oo r u po n t he u nh a

p py g ir l. An d a t t ha t m om en t t he a rr iva l o f t he W ic ke d W it ch w as a nn ou nc ed .

H ea ri ng t hi s, t he K in g s mi le d a s a t ig er s mi le s, s ho wi ng h is t ee th . A nd G oo gl y- Go o s mi le d a s a

s er pe nt s mi le s, f or h e h ad n o t ee th e xc ep t a c ou pl e o f f an gs . A nd h avi ng f ri gh te ne d e ac h o th er w it h t he se

s mi le s, t he t wo d re ad fu l m en w en t a wa y t o t he R oy al

C ou nc il C ha mb er t o m ee t t he W ic ke d W it ch .

P a g e 3 5



CHAPTER 12

THE WOODEN-LEGGED GRASSHOPPER

N ow i t s o h ap pe ne d t ha t T ro t, f ro m t he w in do w o f h er r oo m, h ad w it ne ss ed t he m ee ti ng o f t he l ove rs

i n t he g ar de n a nd h ad s ee n t he K in g c om e a nd d ra g G lo ri a a wa y. T he l it tl e g ir l' s h ea rt w en t o ut i n s ym pa th y

f or t he po or P ri nc es s, w ho s ee med t o h er t o be

o ne o f t he s we et es t a nd l ove li es t y ou ng l ad ie s s he h ad e ve r s ee n, s o s he c re pt a lo ng t he p as sa ge s a nd f ro m

a h idd en ni che s aw Gl or ia l oc ked i n he r r oo m. Th e k ey w as s ti ll i n t he l oc k, s o w he n t he K in g h ad g on ea wa y f ol lo we d b y G oo gl y- Go o, T ro t s to le u p

t o t he d oo r, t ur ne d t he k ey a nd e nt er ed . T he P ri nc es s l ay p ro ne u po n a c ou ch , s ob bi ng b it te rl y. T ro t w en t u p

t o h er a nd s mo ot he d h er h ai r a nd t ri ed t o c om fo rt h er .

" Do n' t c ry ," s he s ai d. " I' ve u nl oc ke d t he do or , s o y ou c an go aw ay a ny t im e y ou w an t t o. "

" It i sn 't t ha t, " s obb ed t he P ri nc es s. " I a m u nh ap py b ec au se t he y w il l n ot l et m e l ove P on, t he

gardener's boy!"

" We ll , n e ve r m in d. P on i sn 't a ny g re at s ha ke s, a ny ho w, s ee ms t o m e, " s ai d T ro t s oo th in gl y. " Th er e

a re l ot s o f o th er p eo pl e y ou c an l ove ."

G lo ri a r ol le d o ve r o n t he c ou ch a nd l oo ke d a t t he l it tl e g ir l r ep ro ac hf ul ly . " P on h as w on m y h ea rt , a nd

I c an 't h el p l ovi ng h im ," s he e xp la in ed . T he n w it h s ud de n i nd ig na ti on s he a dd ed , " Bu t I 'l l n eve r l ove

G oo gl y- Go o, n eve r a s l on g a s I l i ve !"

" I s ho ul d s ay n ot !" r ep li ed T ro t. " P on m ay n ot b e m uc h g oo d, b ut o ld G oo gl y i s ve ry , ve ry b ad . H un t

a ro un d a nd I 'm s ur e y ou 'l l f in d s om eo ne w or th y ou r l ove . Y ou 'r e ve r y p re tt y , y ou k no w, a nd a lm os t a ny on e

o ug ht t o l ove y ou ."

" Yo u d on 't u nd er st an d, m y d ea r, " s ai d G lo ri a a s s he w ip ed t he t ea rs f ro m h er e ye s w it h a d ai nt y l ac e

h an dk er ch ie f b or de re d w it h p ea rl s . " Wh en y ou a re o ld er , y ou w il l r ea li ze t ha t a y ou ng l ad y c an no t d ec id e

w ho m s he w il l l ove , o r c ho os e t he m os t w or th y.

H er h ea rt a lo ne d ec id es f or h er , a nd w ho ms oe ve r h er h ea rt s el ec ts , s he m us t l ove , w he th er h e a mo un ts t o

m uc h o r n ot ."

T ro t w as a l it tl e p uz zl ed b y t hi s s pe ec h, w hi ch s ee me d t o h er u nr ea so na bl e, b ut s he m ad e n o r ep ly

a nd p re se nt ly G lo ri a' s g ri ef s of te ne d a nd s he b eg an t o q ue st io n t he l it t le g ir l a bo ut h er se lf a nd h er a dve nt ur es .

T ro t t ol d h er h ow t he y h ad h ap pe ne d t o c o

m e t o J in xl an d, a nd a ll ab ou t C ap 'n B il l an d t he Or k an d P es si m a nd t he B ump y M an.

W hi le t he y w er e t hu s c on ve rs in g t og et he r, g et ti ng m or e a nd m or e f r ie nd ly a s t he y b ec am e b et te r

a cq ua in te d, i n t he C ou nc il C ha mb er t he K in g a nd G oo gl y- Go o w er e t al ki ng w it h t he W ic ke d W it ch . T hi s e vi lc rea tu re w as ol d a nd u gl y. S he h ad l os t o ne e ye an d

w or e a b la ck p at ch o ve r i t, s o t he p eo pl e o f J in xl an d h ad n am ed h er " Bl in ki e. " O f c ou rs e, w it ch es a re

f or bi dd en t o e xi st i n t he L an d o f O z, b ut J in xl an d w as s o f ar r em ove d f ro m t he c en te r o f O zm a' s d om in io ns

a nd s o a bs ol ut el y c ut of f f ro m i t b y t he s te ep

m ou nt ai ns a nd t he b ot to ml es s g ul f t ha t t he l aw s o f O z w er e n ot o be ye d ve ry w el l i n t ha t c ou nt ry . S o t he re

w er e s eve ra l w it ch es i n J in xl an d w ho w er e t he t er r or o f t he p eo pl e, b ut K in g K re wl f avo re d t he m a nd p er mi tt ed

t he m t o e xe rc is e t he ir e vi l s or ce ry .

B li nk ie w as t he l ea de r o f a ll t he o th er w it ch es a nd t he re fo re t he m os t h at ed a nd f ea re d. T he K in g

u se d h er w it ch cr af t a t t im es t o a ss is t h im i n c ar ry in g o ut hi s c ru el ti es an d r even ge , b ut he w as al wa ys

o bl ig ed t o p ay B li nk ie l ar ge s um s o f m on ey o r h ea ps

o f p re ci ou s j ew el s b ef or e s he w ou ld u nd er ta ke a n e nc ha nt me nt . T hi s m ad e h im h at e t he o ld w om an a lm os t

a s mu ch as h is s ub je ct s d id , b ut t od ay L or d Go og ly -Go o h ad ag ree d t o p ay t he w it ch' s p ri ce , s o t he K in gg re et ed h er w it h g ra ci ou s f avo r . " C an y ou d es t

r oy t h e l ove o f P r in ce ss G lo ri a f or t he g ar de ne r' s b oy ?" i nq ui r ed h is M aj es t y.

T he W ic ke d W it ch t ho ug ht a bo ut i t b ef or e s he r ep li ed , " Th at 's a h ar d q ue st io n t o a ns we r. I c an d o

l ot s o f c le ver m ag ic , b ut l ove i s a s tub bor n t hi ng t o c on qu er . W he n y ou t hi nk y ou 've k il le d i t, i t' s l ia bl e t o b ob

u p a ga in a s s tr on g a s e ve r. I b el ie ve

l ove an d c at s h ave ni ne l ive s. I n o th er w or ds , k il li ng l ove i s a h ar d j ob , e ve n f or a s ki ll fu l w it ch , bu t I b el ieve I

c an d o s om et hi ng t ha t w il l a ns we r y ou r p ur po se j us t a s w el l. "

"What is that?" asked the King.

" I c an f re ez e t he g ir l' s h ea rt . I 've g ot a s pe ci al i nc an ta ti on f or t ha t, a nd w he n G lo ri a' s h ea rt i s

t ho ro ug hl y f ro ze n, s he c an n o l on ge r l ove P on . "

" Ju st t he t hi ng !" e xc la im ed G oo gl y- Go o, a nd t he K in g w as l ik ew is e m uc h p le as ed . T he y b ar ga in ed a

l on g t ime a s t o t he p ri ce, b ut f in al ly t he o ld c ou rt ie r ag re ed t o p ay t he W ic ked W it ch 's d em an ds . I t w as

a rr an ge d t ha t t he y s ho ul d t ak e G lo r ia t o B li nk i e' s

h ou se t he n ex t d ay t o h ave h er h ea rt f ro ze n.

T he n K in g K re wl m en ti on ed t o t he o ld h ag t he s tr an ge rs w ho h ad t ha t d ay a rr ive d i n J in xl an d, a nd

P a g e 3 6



s ai d t o h er , " I t hi nk t he t wo c hi ldr en -- the bo y a nd t he g ir l- -a re un abl e t o h ar m m e, but I have a s us pi ci on t ha t

t h e w oo de n- l eg ge d m an i s a p ow er f ul w i za r d. "

T he w it ch 's f ac e w or e a t ro ub le d l oo k w he n s he h ea rd t hi s. " If y ou a re r ig ht ," s he s ai d, " th is w iz ar d

m ig ht s poi l m y i nc ant at ion an d i nt er fe re w it h me i n o the r w ay s. S o i t w il l b e b es t f or me t o me et t hi s s tr an ger

a t o nc e a nd m at ch my m agi c a ga ins t hi s

, t o d ec ide w hi ch i s t he s tr on ge r. "

" Al l r ig ht ," s ai d t he K in g. " Co me w it h m e, a nd I w il l l ea d y ou t o t he ma n' s r oo m. " Go ogl y- Goo di dno t ac com pa ny t he m, as h e w as ob li ged t o go h om e t o ge t t he mo ne y a nd j ew el s he ha d pr omi sed t o p ay o ld

B li nk ie , s o t he o th er t wo c li mb ed s eve ra l f li gh ts

o f s ta ir s a nd w en t t hr ou gh m an y p as sa ge s u nt il t he y c am e t o t he r oo m o cc up ie d b y C ap 'n B il l.

T he s ai lo r m an , f in di ng h is b ed s of t a nd i nvi ti ng a nd b ei ng t ir ed w it h t he a dve nt ur es h e h ad

e xp er ie nc ed , h ad d ec id ed t o t ak e a n ap . W he n t he W ic ke d W it ch a nd t he K in g s of tl y o pe ne d h is d oo r a nd

e nt er ed , C ap 'n B il l w as s no ri ng w it h s uc h vi go r t ha t h e d i

d n ot h ea r t he m a t a ll . B li nk ie a pp ro ac he d t he b ed a nd w it h h er o ne e ye a nx io us ly s ta re d a t t he s le ep in g

s tr an ge r. " Ah, " s he s ai d i n a s of t w hi sp er , " I be li eve y ou ar e r ig ht , K ing K rew l. Th e m an l ook s t o me l ik e a

ve ry p ow er fu l w iz ar d. B ut b y g oo d l uc

k I ha ve c aug ht hi m a sl ee p, s o I s ha ll t ra ns for m hi m be fo re he w ak es up , g ivi ng hi m s uc h a f or m t ha t h e w il l

b e u na bl e t o o pp os e m e. "

" Ca re fu l! " c au ti on ed t he K in g, a ls o s pe ak in g l ow . " If h e d is co ve rs w ha t y ou a re d oi ng , h e m ay

d es tr oy y ou , a nd t ha t w ou ld a nn oy m e b ec au se I n ee d y ou t o a tt en d t o G lo ri a. "

B ut t he W ic ked W it ch r ea li ze d a s w el l as h e d id t ha t s he m us t b e c ar ef ul . S he c ar ri ed o ver her ar m

a b la ck b ag , f ro m w hi ch s he n ow d re w s eve ra l p ac ka ge s c ar ef ul ly w ra pp ed i n p ap er . T hr ee o f t he se s he

s el ec te d, r ep la ci ng t he o th er s i n t he b ag . Tw o o f t

h e p ac ke ts s he m ix ed t og et he r, a nd t he n s he c au ti ou sl y o pe ne d t he t hi rd . " Be tt er s ta nd b ac k, y ou r

M aj es ty ," s he a dvi se d, " fo r i f t hi s p ow de r f al ls o n y ou , y ou m ig ht b e t ra ns fo rm ed y ou rs el f. "

T he K in g h as ti ly r et re at ed t o t he e nd o f t he r oo m. A s B li nk ie m ix ed t he t hi rd p ow de r w it h t he o th er s,

s he w ave d h er h an ds o ve r i t, m um bl ed a f ew w or ds , a nd t he n b ac ke d a wa y a s q ui ck ly a s s he c ou ld . C ap 'n

B il l w as s lu mb er i ng p ea ce f ul l y, a ll u nc on sc i ou s

o f w ha t w as g oi ng o n. P uf f! A g re at c lo ud o f s mo ke r ol le d o ve r t he b ed a nd c om pl et el y h id h im f ro m vi ew .

W he n t he s mok e r ol le d aw ay , b ot h Bl ink ie an d t he K in g s aw t ha t t he b od y of t he s tr an ge r ha d qu it e

d is ap pe ar ed , w hi l e i n h is p la ce , c ro uc hi ng i n t he

m id dl e o f t he b ed , w as a l it tl e g ra y g ra ss ho pp er . O ne c ur io us t hi ng a bo ut t hi s g ra ss ho pp er w as t ha t t he l as t joint of its left leg was made of wood. Another curious thing--considering it was a grasshopper--was that it

b ega n t al ki ng , c ry in g o ut i n a t in y

bu t s ha rp voi ce, " Her e, y ou p eo pl e! W hat d o y ou m ea n by t re at ing m e s o? P ut m e ba ck w her e I be lon g at

o nc e, o r y ou 'l l b e s or ry !"

T he c ru el K in g t ur ne d p al e a t h ea ri ng t he g ra ss ho pp er 's t hr ea ts , b ut t he W ic ke d W it ch m er el y

l au gh ed i n d er is io n. T he n s he r ai se d h er s ti ck a nd a im ed a vi ci ou s b lo w a t t he g ra ss ho pp er , b ut b ef or e t he

s ti ck s tr uc k t he b ed t he t in y h op pe r m ad e a m ar ve lo us

j um p- -m ar ve lo us , i nd ee d, w he n w e c on si de r t ha t i t h ad a w oo de n l eg . I t r os e i n t he a ir a nd s ai le d a cr os s t he

r oo m a nd p as se d r ig ht t hr ou gh t he o pe n w in do w, w he re i t d is ap pe ar ed f ro m t he ir vi ew .

" Go od !" s ho ut ed t he K in g. " We a re w el l r id o f t hi s d es pe ra te w iz ar d. " A nd t he n t he y b ot h l au gh ed

h ea rt il y a t t he s uc ce ss o f t he i nc an ta ti on a nd w en t a wa y t o c om pl et e t he ir h or ri d p la ns .

After Trot had visited a time with Princess Gloria, the little girl went to Button-Bright's room, but didno t f ind h im t he re . Th en s he w ent t o C ap' n B il l' s r oo m, bu t h e w as not t her e be cau se t he w it ch and t he K ing

h ad b ee n t he re b ef or e h er . S o s he m ad e

h er w ay d ow ns ta ir s a nd q ue st io ne d t he s er va nt s. T he y s ai d t he y h ad s ee n t he l it tl e b oy g o o ut i nt o t he

ga rde n s om e t ime a go, but t he ol d man w it h t he wo ode n l eg t he y ha d n ot s een a t a ll . T her ef or e T ro t, n ot

k no wi ng w ha t e ls e t o d o, r am bl ed t hr ou gh t he

g re at g ar de ns s ee ki ng f or B ut to n- Br ig ht o r C ap 'n B il l a nd n ot f in di ng e it he r o f t he m. T hi s p ar t o f t he g ar de n,

w hi ch l ay bef or e t he c as tl e, w as not w al led i n bu t ex tend ed t o t he r oad way , an d t he p at hs w er e o pen t o t he

edg e of t he f or es t, s o af ter t wo h ou

r s o f va in s ea rc h f or h er f ri en ds , t he l it tl e g ir l r et ur ne d t o t he c as tl e. B ut a t t he d oo rw ay a s ol di er s to pp ed h er .

" I l ive her e," sai d Tr ot , " so it 's al l r ight to l et me i n. The Ki ng has gi ven me a r oom."

" We ll , h e h as t ak en i t b ac k a ga in, " w as t he s ol di er 's r ep ly . " Hi s M aj es ty 's o rd er s a re t o t ur n y ou

aw ay i f y ou at te mp t t o en ter . I am a ls o or de re d t o f or bi d t he boy , y ou r c om pa ni on, t o a ga in ent er t he K ing 's

castle."

" Ho w ' bo ut C ap 'n B il l? " s he i nq ui re d.

" W hy , i t s ee ms h e h as m y st e ri o us l y d is ap pe ar e d, " r ep li e d t h e s ol d ie r , s ha k in g h i s h ea d o mi no us l y.

P a g e 3 7



" Wher e he has gone to I c an' t make out , but I can as sur e you he is no longer in t his c ast le. I 'm sor ry, li tt le

g ir l, t o d is ap po in t y ou . D on 't b la me m e; I

m us t o be y m y m as te r' s o rd er s. "

N ow a ll h er l if e T ro t h ad b ee n a cc us to me d t o d ep en d o n C ap 'n B il l, s o w he n t hi s g oo d f ri en d w as

s ud de nl y t ak en a wa y f ro m h er , s he f el t ve ry m is er ab le a nd f or lo rn i nd ee d. S he w as b ra ve e no ug h n ot t o c ry

bef or e t he s ol die r, or even t o l et hi m s ee h er g ri e

f and an xi et y, but af ter s he w as t ur ned aw ay f rom t he c as tl e s he s oug ht a q ui et b enc h i n t he g ar den an d f or a

t ime s ob be d as i f he r he ar t w oul d br ea k. I t w as B ut to n- Br igh t w ho f oun d h er a t l as t, j us t a s t he s un ha d s eta nd t he s ha de s o f e ve ni ng w er e f al l

i ng. H e a ls o ha d bee n t ur ned aw ay f rom t he Ki ng' s c as tl e w hen he t ri ed t o en te r i t, an d i n t he p ar k he c ame

a c ro s s T r ot .

"N eve r m in d, " s ai d t he b oy . " We c an f in d a p la ce t o s le ep ."

" I w an t C ap 'n B il l, " w ai le d t he g ir l.

" We ll , s o d o I ," w as t he r ep ly . " Bu t w e h aven 't go t h im . Wh er e d o y ou s 'p os e h e i s, T rot ?"

" I d on 't s 'p os e a ny th in g. H e' s g on e, a n' t ha t' s a ll I k no w ' bo ut i t. "

B ut to n- Br ig ht s at o n t he b en ch b es id e h er a nd t hr us t h is h an ds i n t he p oc ke ts o f h is k ni ck er bo ck er s.

T he n h e r ef le ct ed s om ew ha t g ra ve ly f or h im . " C ap 'n B il l i sn 't a ro un d h er e, " h e s ai d, l et t in g h is e ye s w an de r

ove r t he d im g ar de n, " so w e m us t g o s om ew h

ere els e if we want t o fi nd him. Bes ides, it's f as t get ting dar k, and if w e want t o fi nd a pl ac e to s leep, we

m us t ge t b us y w hi le w e c an s ee w her e t o g o. "

H e r os e f rom t he be nc h as he s ai d t hi s, an d T ro t a ls o j ump ed up, dr yi ng her e yes o n h er ap ron .

T he n s he w al ked b es ide hi m o ut o f t he g ro un ds of t he Ki ng 's c as tl e. T he y d id no t go by t he ma in pa th, b ut

p as se d t hr ou gh a n o pe ni ng i n a h ed ge a nd f ou nd t he m

s el ve s i n a s ma ll b ut w el l- wo rn r oa dw ay . F ol lo wi ng t hi s f or s om e d is ta nc e a lo ng a w in di ng w ay , t he y c am e

u po n n o h ou se o r b ui ld in g t ha t w ou ld a ff or d t he m r ef ug e f or t he n ig ht . It b ec am e s o d ar k t ha t t he y c ou ld

s ca rc el y s ee t he ir w ay , a nd f in al ly T ro t s t

o pp ed a nd s ug ge st ed t ha t t he y c am p u nd er a t re e. " Al l r ig ht ," s ai d B ut to n- Br ig ht . " I' ve o ft en f ou nd t ha t

l ea ve s m ak e a g oo d, w ar m b la nk et . B ut l oo k t he re , T ro t! I sn 't t ha t a l ig ht f la sh in g o ve r y on de r?"

" It c er ta in ly i s, B ut to n- Br ig ht . L et 's g o o ve r a nd s ee i f i t' s a h ou se . W ho eve r l ive s t he re c ou ld n' t t re at

u s w or se t han t he K in g d id ."

T o r ea ch t he l ig ht t he y h ad t o l ea ve t he r oa d, s o t he y s tu mb le d o ve r h il lo ck s a nd b ru sh wo od , h an d i n

h an d, k ee pi ng t he t in y s pe ck o f l ig ht a lw ay s i n s ig ht . T he y w er e r at he r f or lo rn l it tl e w ai fs , o ut ca st s i n a

s tr an ge c ou nt ry a nd f or sa ke n b y t he ir o nl y f r ie nd a nd g ua rd ia n, C ap 'n B il l. S o t he y w er e ve ry g la d w he n f in al ly t he y r ea ch ed a s ma ll c ot ta ge a nd , l oo ki ng

i n t hr ough i ts o ne w in dow , s aw P on , t he g ar den er 's b oy , s it ti ng b y a f ir e of t wi gs . A s T rot op ene d t he d oo r

a nd w al ke d b ol dl y i n, P on s pr an g u p

t o g re et t he m. T he y t ol d h im o f C ap 'n B il l' s d is ap pe ar an ce a nd h ow t he y h ad b ee n t ur ne d o ut o f t he K in g' s

c as tl e. A s t he y f in is he d t he s to ry , P on s ho ok h is h ea d s ad ly . " Ki ng K re wl i s p lo tt in g m is ch ie f, I f ea r, " s ai d

h e, " for t oda y he s en t f or o ld B li nk

i e, t he W ic ke d W it ch, a nd w it h my o wn e yes I s aw he r c om e f ro m t he c as tl e a nd h ob bl e a way t ow ar d he r

h ut . S he h ad b ee n w it h t he K in g a nd G oo gl y- Go o, a nd I w as a fr ai d t he y w er e g oi ng t o w or k s om e

e nc ha nt me nt o n G lo ri a s o s he w ou ld n o l on ge r l ove m e . B u t

p er ha ps t he W it ch w as o nl y c al le d t o t he c as tl e t o e nc ha nt y ou r f ri en d, C ap 'n B il l. "

" Co ul d s he d o t ha t? " a sk ed T ro t, h or r if i ed b y t he s ug ge st io n.

" I s up po se s o, f or o ld B li nk ie c an do a l ot of w ic ke d ma gi cal t hi ng s. "" Wh at s or t o f a n e nc ha nt me nt c ou ld s he p ut o n C ap 'n B il l? "

" I d on 't k no w. B ut h e h as d is ap pe ar ed , s o I 'm p re tt y c er ta in s he h as d on e s om et hi ng d re ad fu l t o h im .

B ut do n' t w or ry . I f i t ha s h app en ed, i t c an 't b e h el ped , a nd i f i t h as n't h app en ed, w e ma y b e a bl e t o f in d hi m i n

t h e m o rn i ng . "

W it h t hi s, P on w en t t o t he c upb oa rd and br ou ght f ood f or t hem t o ea t. T ro t w as f ar t oo w or ri ed t o e at ,

b ut B ut to n- Br ig ht m ad e a g oo d s up pe r f ro m t he s im pl e f oo d a nd t he n l ay d ow n b ef or e t he f ir e a nd w en t t o

s le ep . T he l it tl e g ir l a nd t he g ar de ne r' s b oy ,

however , s at f or a l on g t ime s ta ri ng i nt o t he f ir e, b us y w it h t hei r t ho ugh ts . B ut a t l as t T ro t, t oo , b ec am e

s le ep y, a nd P on c ove re d h er w it h t he o ne b la nk et h e p os se ss ed . T he n h e t hr ew m or e w oo d o n t he f ir e a nd

l ai d h im se lf d ow n b ef or e i t, n ex t t o B ut t

o n- Br ig ht . S oo n a ll t hr ee w er e f as t a sl ee p. T he y w er e i n a g oo d d ea l o f t ro ub le ; b ut t he y w er e y ou ng , a nd

s le ep w as g oo d t o t hem be cau se f or a t im e i t m ad e t he m f or get .

P a g e 3 8



CHAPTER 13

G LI ND A T HE G OO D A ND T HE S CA RE CR OW O F O Z

Th at c oun tr y s ou th of t he E me ra ld C it y i n t he La nd of O z i s k now n as t he Qu ad li ng C oun tr y, an d i n

t he ve ry s ou th er nm os t p ar t o f i t s ta nd s a s pl en di d p al ac e i n w hi ch l ive s G li nd a t he G oo d. G li nd a i s t he R oy al

S or ce re ss o f O z. S he h as w on de rf ul m ag ic al p

o we rs a nd u se s t he m o nl y t o b en ef it t he s ub je ct s o f O zm a' s k in gd om . E ve n t he f am ou s W iz ar d o f O z p ay s

t ri bu te t o he r, f or G li nd a t au ght h im al l t he r ea l m ag ic h e k no ws , an d s he i s hi s s upe ri or i n al l s or ts o f s or ce ry .E ve ry on e l ove s G li nd a, f r om t he d ai nt y a nd e xq ui si t e R ul er , O zm a, d ow n t o t he h um bl es t i nh ab it an t

o f Oz , f or s he i s a lw ay s k ind ly a nd h el pf ul an d w il li ng t o l is ten t o t he ir t ro ub le s, h ow eve r b us y s he m ay b e.

N o o ne k now s he r ag e, b ut a ll c an s ee ho w bea

u ti fu l an d s ta te ly s he i s. H er h ai r i s l ik e r ed g ol d a nd f in er t ha n t he f in es t s il ken s tr and s. H er ey es a re bl ue as

t he s ky a nd a lw ay s f ra nk a nd s mi li ng . H er c he ek s a re t he e nvy o f p ea ch -b lo ws , a nd h er m ou th i s e nt ic in g a s

a r os ebu d. Gl ind a i s t al l an d w

e ar s s pl en di d g ow ns t ha t t ra il b eh in d h er a s s he w al ks . S he w ea rs n o j ew el s, f or h er b ea ut y w ou ld s ha me

them.

F or a tt en da nt s G li nd a h as h al f a h un dr ed o f t he l ove li es t g ir ls i n O z. T he y a re g at he re d f ro m a ll o ver

O z, f ro m a mo ng t he W in ki es , t he M un ch ki ns , t he G il li ki ns a nd t he Q ua dl in gs , a s w el l a s f ro m O zm a' s

m ag ni fi ce nt E me ra ld C it y, a nd i t i s c on si de re d a g re

a t f avo r t o s er ve t he R oy a l S or c er es s .

Among the many wonderful things in Glinda's palace is the Great Book of Records. In this book is

i ns cr ib ed e ve ry th in g t ha t t ak es p la ce i n a ll t he w or ld , j us t t he i ns ta nt i t h ap pe ns ; s o t ha t b y r ef er ri ng t o i ts

p ag es G li nd a k no ws w ha t i s t ak in g p la ce f ar

an d n ear , i n eve ry c ou nt ry t hat ex is ts . I n t hi s w ay s he l ear ns w he n a nd w he re s he c an h el p a ny i n d is tr es s

o r d an ge r, a nd a lt ho ug h h er d ut ie s a re c on fi ne d t o a ss is ti ng t ho se w ho i nh ab it t he L an d o f O z, s he i s a lw ay s

i nt er es te d i n w ha t t ak es p la ce i n t he

unprotected outside world.

S o i t w as t ha t o n a c er tai n eveni ng Gl in da s at i n her l ibr ar y, s ur roun ded by a bevy of he r m ai ds , w ho

w er e e ng ag ed i n s pi nn in g, w ea vi ng a nd e mb ro id er y, w he n a n a tt en da nt a nn ou nc ed t he a rr iva l a t t he p al ac e o f

t he S ca re cr ow . Th is p er so na ge w as o ne o f t he

m os t f am ou s an d po pul ar i n a ll t he L an d o f Oz . H is b od y w as m er el y a s ui t o f Mu nc hk in c lo the s s tu ff ed w it h

s tr aw , b ut h is h ea d w as a r oun d s ac k f il le d w it h b ra n w it h w hi ch t he W iz ar d o f Oz h ad m ix ed s om e ma gi c

b ra in s o f a ve ry s up er io r s or t. T he e ye s,no se an d mou th of t he S car ec row w er e pa int ed up on t he f ro nt of t he s ac k, a s w er e h is e ar s, an d s inc e t hi s

q ua in t b ei ng h ad b ee n e nd ow ed w it h l if e, t he e xp re ss io n o f h is f ac e w as ve ry i nt er es ti ng , i f s om ew ha t

comical.

T he S ca re cr ow w as g oo d a ll t hr ou gh , e ve n t o h is b ra in s, a nd w hi le h e w as n at ur al ly a wk wa rd i n h is

m ove me nt s a nd l ac ke d t he n ea t s ym me tr y o f o th er p eo pl e, h is d is po si ti on w as s o k in d a nd c on si de ra te a nd

he w as s o o bl igi ng an d h on es t t ha t a ll w ho k ne w h im

l ove d h im , a nd t he re w er e f ew p eo pl e i n O z w ho h ad n ot m et o ur S ca re cr ow a nd m ad e h is a cq ua in ta nc e. H e

l ived pa rt o f t he t ime i n O zm a' s pa lac e a t t he E me ra ld C it y, p ar t of t he t im e i n h is o wn c or nc ob c as tl e i n t he

W in ki e C ou nt ry , a nd p ar t o f t he t ime h e

t ra ve le d o ve r a l l O z , vi si ti ng w it h t he p eo pl e a nd p la yi ng w it h t he c hi ld re n, w ho m h e d ea rl y l ove d.

I t w as o n o ne o f h is w an de ri ng j ou rn ey s t ha t t he S ca re cr ow h ad a rr ive d a t G li nd a' s p al ac e, a nd t he

S or ce re ss a t o nc e m ad e h im w el co me . As h e s at b es id e h er t al ki ng o f h is a dve nt ur es , h e a sk ed , " Wh at 'snew i n t he w ay of new s?"

G li nd a o pe ne d h er G re at B oo k o f R ec or ds a nd r ea d s om e o f t he l as t p ag es . " He re i s a n i te m q ui te

c ur io us a nd i nt er es t in g, " s he a nn ou nc ed , a n a cc en t o f s ur pr i se i n h er vo ic e. " Th re e p eo pl e f ro m t he b ig

O u ts i de W o rl d h a ve a r ri ve d i n J i nx l an d ."

" W he r e i s J i nx l an d ?" i n qu i re d t h e S c ar e cr o w.

" Ver y near her e, a l it tle t o t he eas t of us ," s he s aid. "I n f act , J inx land i s a li tt le s li ce t ak en of f t he

Q ua dl in g C ou nt ry , b ut s ep ar at ed f ro m i t b y a r an ge o f h ig h m ou nt ai ns a t t he f oo t o f w hi ch l ie s a w id e, d ee p

g ul f t ha t i s s up po se d t o b e i mp as sa bl e

."

" The n J inx land i s r ea ll y a p ar t o f t he L an d of Oz ," s ai d he .

" Ye s, " r et ur ne d G li nd a, " bu t O z p eo pl e k no w n ot hi ng o f i t e xc ep t w ha t i s r ec or de d h er e i n m y b oo k. "

" Wh at d oe s t he B oo k s ay a bo ut i t? " a sk ed t he S ca re cr ow .

"I t i s r uled by a wic ked man c all ed King Kr ew l, al though he has no r ight t o t he t it le. Mos t of t he

p eo pl e a re g oo d, b ut t he y a re ve ry t im id a nd l ive i n c on st an t f ea r o f t he ir f ie rc e r ul er . T he re a re a ls o s eve ra l

W i ck ed W i tc h es w h o k e ep t he i n ha bi t an t s

P a g e 3 9



o f J in xl an d i n a s ta te o f t er ro r. "

" Do t ho se w i tc he s h ave a ny m ag ic al p ow er s ?" i nq ui re d t he S ca re cr ow .

" Ye s, t he y s ee m t o u nd er st an d w it ch cr af t i n i ts m os t e vi l f or m, f or o ne o f t he m h as j us t t ra ns fo rm ed a

r es pe ct ab le a nd h on es t o ld s ai lo r- - on e o f t he s tr an ge rs w ho a rr ive d h er e- -i nt o a g ra ss ho pp er . T hi s s am e

w it ch , B li nk ie b y n am e, i s a ls o p la nni ng t o f re

e ze t he h ea rt o f a b ea ut if ul J in xl an d g ir l n am ed P ri nc es s G lo ri a. "

" Wh y, t ha t' s a d re ad fu l t hi ng t o d o! " e xc la im ed t he S ca re cr ow .

G li nd a' s f ac e w as ve ry g ra ve . S he r ea d i n h er b oo k h ow T ro t a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht w er e t ur ne d o ut o f t heK in g' s c as tl e, a nd h ow t he y f ou nd r ef ug e i n t he h ut o f P on , t he g ar de ne r' s b oy . " I' m a fr ai d t he se h el pl es s

e ar th p eo pl e w il l e nd ur e m uc h s uf fe ri ng i n J

i nx la nd , e ve n i f t he w ic ke d K in g a nd t he w it ch es p er mi t t he m t o l ive ," s ai d t he g oo d S or ce re ss t ho ug ht fu ll y. " I

w is h I m ig ht h el p t he m. "

" Can I do an yt hi ng ?" a sk ed t he S ca rec row a nx io us ly . " If s o, t el l m e w ha t t o d o, an d I 'l l d o i t. "

F or a f ew mo me nt s Gl ind a di d no t r epl y, bu t s at mu si ng over t he r ec or ds . T he n s he s ai d, " I a m g oi ng

t o s en d y ou t o J in xl an d t o p ro te ct T ro t a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht a nd C ap 'n B il l. "

" Al l r ig ht ," a ns we re d t he S ca re cr ow i n a c he er fu l vo ic e. " I k no w B ut to n- Br ig ht a lr ea dy , f or h e h as

been in t he Lan d of Oz bef or e. Y ou r emember he w ent aw ay f rom t he L and of Oz i n o ne of ou r W iz ar d's bi g

bubbles."

" Ye s, " s ai d G li nd a. " I r em em be r t ha t. " T he n s he c ar ef ul ly i ns tr uc te d t he S ca re cr ow w ha t t o d o a nd

gave h im c er ta in m ag ic al t hi ng s w hi ch h e p la ce d i n t he p oc ke ts o f h is r ag ge d M un ch ki n c oa t. " As y ou h ave

no need to s leep, " s ai d s he, " you may as w ell s t

a rt a t o nc e. "

"The night i s t he s ame as day to me," he r epli ed, "ex cept that I c annot see my way s o well in the

dark."

" I w il l f ur ni sh a l ig ht t o g ui de y ou ," p ro mi se d t he S or ce re ss .

S o t he S ca re cr ow b ad e h er g oo db ye a nd a t o nc e s ta rt ed o n h is j ou rn ey . B y m or ni ng h e h ad r ea ch ed

t he m ou nt ai ns t ha t s ep ar at ed t he Q ua dl in g C ou nt r y f r om J in xl an d. T h e s id es o f t he se m ou nt ai ns w er e t oo

s te ep t o c li mb, bu t t he S car ec ro w t oo k a s ma ll r op e f r

o m h is p oc ke t a nd t os se d o ne e nd u pw ar d i nt o t he a ir . T he r op e u nw ou nd i ts el f f or h un dr ed s o f f ee t u nt il i t

c aug ht u po n a p ea k o f r oc k a t t he ver y t op o f a m oun ta in, f or i t w as a m ag ic r op e f ur ni she d h im by Gl in da .

T he S ca re cr ow c li mb ed t he r op e a nd , a f

t er pu ll in g i t up , l et i t do wn on t he ot he r s ide o f t he m ou nt ai n r an ge . W he n he de sc end ed t he r op e o n t hi s

s id e h e f ou nd h im se lf i n J in xl an d, b ut a t h is f ee t y aw ne d t he G re at G ul f, w hi ch m us t b e c ro ss ed b ef or e h ec o ul d p r oc e ed a ny f a rt h er .

T he S ca re cr ow k ne lt d ow n a nd e xa mi ne d t he g ro un d c ar ef ul ly , a nd i n a m om en t h e d is co ve re d a

f uz zy b ro wn s pi de r t ha t h ad r ol le d i ts el f i nt o a b al l. S o he t oo k t wo t in y p il ls f ro m h is po ck et a nd l ai d t hem

b es id e t he s pi de r, w hi ch u nr ol le d i t se lf a nd q ui ck

l y a te u p t he p il ls . T he n t he S ca re cr ow s ai d i n a vo ic e o f c om ma nd , " Sp in !" a nd t he s pi de r o be ye d i ns ta nt ly .

I n a f ew m om en ts t he l it tl e c re at ur e h ad s pu n t wo s le nd er b ut s tr on g s tr an ds t ha t r ea ch ed w ay a cr os s t he

g ul f, o ne b ei ng f ive o r s ix f ee t a bo ve t

h e o th er . W he n t he se w er e c om pl et ed , t he S ca re cr ow s ta rt ed a cr os s t he t in y b ri dg e, w al ki ng u po n o ne

s tr an d a s a p er so n w al ks u po n a r op e, a nd h ol di ng t o t he u pp er s tr an d w it h h is h an ds t o p re ve nt h im f ro m

l os in g h is b al an ce a nd t op pl in g o ve r i nt o t he g ul

f . Th e t iny t hr ea ds he ld h im s af el y, t ha nk s t o t he s tr eng th g ive n t he m b y t he m ag ic p il ls . P re sen tl y h e w as

s af e a cr os s a nd s ta nd in g o n t he p la in s o f J in xl an d. F ar a wa y h e c ou ld s ee t he t ow er s o f t he K in g' s c as tl e,an d t ow ar d t hi s he at onc e be gan t o w

alk.

P a g e 4 0



CHAPTER 14

THE FROZEN HEART

I n t he h ut o f P on , t he g ar de ne r' s b oy , B ut to n- Br ig ht w as t he f ir st t o w ak en i n t he m or ni ng . L ea vi ng

h is c om pa ni on s s ti ll a sl ee p, h e w en t o ut i nt o t he f re sh m or ni ng a ir a nd s aw s om e b la ck be rr ie s g ro wi ng o n

bu she s i n a f iel d n ot f ar a way . Goi ng t o t he b u

s he s, h e f ou nd t he b er ri es r ip e a nd s we et , s o h e b eg an e at in g t he m. M or e b us he s w er e s ca tt er ed o ve r t he

f ie ld s, s o t he b oy w an de re d o n f ro m b us h t o b us h w it ho ut p ay in g a ny h ee d t o w he re h e w as w an de ri ng . T he na b ut te rf ly f lu tt er ed b y. H e g ave c ha se t o

i t an d f ol lo wed i t a l ong w ay . W he n f in al ly h e pa us ed t o l ook ar ou nd h im, B ut to n- Br igh t c ou ld s ee n o s ig n o f

P on 's ho us e, n or h ad h e t he s li gh te st i de a i n w hi ch d ir ec ti on i t l ay . " We ll , I 'm l os t a ga in ," h e r ema rk ed t o

h i ms e lf . " B ut n eve r m in d. I 've b e

en los t lot s of t imes. Someone is sur e t o f ind me. "

T ro t w as a l it tl e w or r ie d a bo ut B ut to n- Br ig ht w he n s he a wo ke a nd f ou nd h im g on e. K no wi ng h ow

c ar el es s he w as , s he b el ieved t hat h e h ad s tr ay ed a way , bu t f el t t hat he w ou ld c om e b ac k i n t ime be ca us e

he had a habi t of not s tay ing l os t. Pon got t he li tt le

g ir l s om e f oo d f or h er b re ak fa st , a nd t he n t og et he r t he y w en t o ut o f t he h ut a nd s to od i n t he s un sh in e.

P on 's h ou se w as s ome d is tan ce of f t he r oa d, b ut t hey c oul d s ee i t f ro m w he re t hey s too d, a nd bo th

g ave a s t ar t o f s ur p ri s e w he n t he y d is co ve re d t wo s ol di er s w al ki ng a lo ng t he r oa dw ay a nd e sc or t in g P ri nc es s

G lo ri a b et we en t he m. T he p oo r g ir l h ad h er h an d

s b ou nd t og et he r t o p re ve nt h er f ro m s tr ug gl in g, a nd t he s ol di er s r ud el y d ra gg ed h er f or wa rd w he n h er s te ps

s ee me d t o l ag . B eh in d t he g ro up c am e K in g K re wl , w ea ri ng h is j ew el ed c ro wn a nd s wi ng in g i n h is h an d a

s le nd er , g ol de n s ta ff w it h a b al l o f c lu st er

e d g em s a t o ne e nd . " Wh er e a re t he y g oi ng ?" a sk ed T ro t.

" To t he h ou se of t he W ic ke d W it ch , I f ea r, " P on r epl ied . " C ome , l et us f ol low t he m, f or I am s ur e

t he y i nt en d t o h ar m m y d ea r G lo ri a. "

" Wo n' t t he y s ee u s? " s he a sk ed t im id ly .

" We w on 't l et t he m. I k no w a s ho rt c ut t hr ou gh t he t re es t o B li nk ie 's h ou se ," s ai d he . S o t he y

h ur ri ed a wa y t hr ou gh t he t re es a nd r ea ch ed t he h ou se o f t he w it ch a he ad o f t he K in g a nd h is s ol di er s. H id in g

t he ms el ve s i n t he s hr ub be r y, t he y w at ch ed t he a

pp roa ch o f p oor Gl or ia and her es cor t, a ll of w hom pas sed s o n ear t o t he m t hat P on c oul d have p ut ou t a

h an d a nd t ou ch ed h is s we et he ar t h ad h e d ar ed t o.

B li nk ie 's h ou se h ad e ig ht s ide s, w it h a do or a nd a w ind ow i n ea ch s ide . S mok e w as c omi ng ou t of t he c hi mn ey , a nd as t he gu ar ds br ou gh t Gl or ia t o one o f t he d oo rs , i t w as op en ed by t he ol d w it ch i n p er son .

S he c hu ck le d w it h e vi l g le e a nd r ub be d h er s ki nn

y h an ds t og et he r t o s ho w t he d el ig ht w it h w hi ch s he g re et ed h er vi ct im , f or B li nk ie w as p le as ed t o b e a bl e t o

p er fo rm h er w ic ke d r it es o n o ne s o f ai r a nd s we et a s t he P ri nc es s. G lo ri a s tr ug gl ed t o r es is t w he n t he y b ad e

h er e nt er t he h ou se , s o t he s ol di er

s f or ce d h er t hr ou gh t he d oo rw ay , a nd e ve n t he K in g g ave h er a s ho ve a s h e f ol lo we d c lo se b eh in d. P on w as

s o i nc en se d a t t he c ru el ty s ho wn G lo ri a t ha t h e f or go t a ll c au ti on a nd r us he d f or wa rd t o e nt er t he h ou se a ls o,

b ut o ne o f t he s ol di er s p re ve nt ed h im

, p us hi ng t he g ar de ne r' s b oy a wa y w it h vi ol en ce a nd s la mm in g t he d oo r i n h is f ac e.

" Neve r m in d, " s ai d T ro t s oo th in gl y a s P on r os e f ro m w he re h e h ad f al le n. " Yo u c ou ld n' t d o m uc h t o

he lp t he p oo r P ri nc es s i f y ou w er e i ns ide . H ow u nf or tu na te i t i s t ha t y ou a re i n l ove w it h h er !"

" Tr ue ," he an sw er ed s adl y, " it i s i nd ee d my m is for tu ne . I f I di d no t l ove h er , i t w oul d b e n one of myb us in es s w hat t he K in g d id t o h is n ie ce G lor ia , b ut t he u nl uc ky c ir cum st an ce o f my l ovi ng h er m ak es i t m y

d ut y t o d ef en d h er ."

" I d on' t s ee h ow y ou c an, d ut y o r n o du ty ," o bs er ved Tr ot .

" No, I a m p ow er les s, f or t hey ar e s tr on ge r t han I . B ut w e m ight pe ek i n t hr ough t he w in dow a nd s ee

w hat t hey a re d oi ng. " T ro t w as s ome wha t c ur io us , t oo , s o t hey c rep t up t o on e of t he w in do ws a nd l oo ked i n,

a nd i t s o h app en ed t ha t t ho se i ns ide t he w it c

h' s ho us e w er e s o b us y t he y d id no t n ot ic e t hat P on a nd T ro t w er e w at chi ng t hem.

Gl or ia h ad b ee n t ied t o a s tou t po st i n t he c en te r o f t he r oo m, a nd t he K ing w as gi vi ng t he W ic ke d

W it ch a q ua nt it y o f m on ey a nd j ew el s w hi ch G oo gl y- Go o h ad p ro vi de d i n p ay me nt . W he n t hi s h ad b ee n

d on e, t he K ing s ai d t o h er , " Ar e y ou p er fe ct ly s ur e y ou

c an f re ez e t hi s m ai de n' s h ea rt s o t ha t s he w il l n o l on ge r l ove t ha t l ow g ar de ne r' s b oy ?"

" Su r e a s w i tc h cr a ft , y ou r M aj es t y, " t he c r ea tu r e r ep l ie d.

" Th en g et t o w or k, " s ai d t he K in g. " Th er e m ay b e s om e u np le as an t f ea tu re s a bo ut t he c er em on y

t hat w oul d a nno y m e, s o I 'l l bi d y ou g ood d ay a nd l ea ve y ou t o c ar ry ou t y our c on tr ac t. On e w or d, ho we ver : i f

y ou f ai l, I s ha ll bu rn y ou a t t he s tak e! " T he n h

P a g e 4 1



e b ec ko ne d t o h is s ol di er s t o f ol lo w h im , a nd t hr ow in g w id e t he d oo r o f t he h ou se , w al ke d o ut .

T hi s a ct io n w as s o s ud de n t ha t K in g K re wl a lm os t c au gh t T ro t a nd P on e ave sd ro pp in g, b ut t he y

m an ag ed t o r un a ro un d t he h ou se b ef or e h e s aw t he m. A wa y h e m ar ch ed , u p t he r oa d, f ol lo we d b y h is m en ,

h ea r tl es s ly l ea vi ng G lo ri a t o t he m er c ie s o f o ld B li nk i e.

W he n t he y a ga in c re pt u p t o t he w in do w, T ro t a nd P on s aw B li nk ie g lo at in g o ve r h er vi ct im . A lt ho ug h n ea rl y

f ai nt in g f ro m f ea r, t he p ro ud P ri nc es s g az ed w it h h au gh ty d ef ia nc e i nt o t he f ac e o f t he w ic ke d c re at ur e, b ut

s he w as b ou nd s o t ig ht ly t o t he po st

t ha t s he c ou ld d o n o m or e t o e xp re ss h er l oa th in g.P re tt y s oo n B li nk ie w en t t o a k et tl e t ha t w as s wi ng in g b y a c ha in o ve r t he f ir e an d t os se d i nt o i t

s e ve ra l m ag ic al c om po un ds . T he k et t le g ave t hr ee f l as he s, a nd a t e ve ry f la sh a no th er w it ch a pp ea re d i n t he

r oo m. T he se h ag s w er e ve ry u gl y, b ut w he n o ne -

e ye d B li nk ie w hi sp er ed h er o rd er s t o t he m, t he y g ri nn ed w it h j oy a s t he y b eg an d an ci ng a ro un d G lo ri a. F ir st

o ne a nd t he n a no th er c as t s om et hi ng i nt o t he k et tl e, w he n t o t he a st on is hm en t o f t he w at ch er s a t t he w in do w

a ll t hr ee o f t he o ld w om en w er e i ns ta n

t l y t r an sf or m ed i nt o m ai de ns o f e xq ui si t e b ea ut y , d r es s ed i n t he d ai nt i es t c os t um es i ma gi na bl e. O nl y t he ir

e yes c ou ld no t be di sgu is ed, a nd a n e vi l g lar e s ti ll s ho ne i n t he ir de pt hs . B ut i f t he e yes w er e c as t d ow n o r

h id de n, o ne c ou ld n ot h el p b ut a dm ir e

t he se b ea ut if ul c r ea tu re s, e ve n w it h t he k no wl ed ge t ha t t he y w er e m er e i l lu si on s o f w it c hc r af t.

T ro t c er t ai nl y a dm ir ed t he m, f or s he h ad n eve r s ee n a ny t hi ng s o d ai nt y a nd b ew it ch in g, b ut h er

a tt en ti on w as q ui ck ly d ra wn t o t he ir d ee ds i ns t ea d o f t he ir p er s on s, a nd t he n h or r or r ep la ce d a dm ir at i on . I nt o

t he k et t le o ld B li nk i e p ou re d a no th er m es s f r om

a b ig br as s b ot tl e s he t oo k f ro m a c he st , a nd t hi s m ad e t he k et tl e be gi n t o bu bbl e a nd s mo ke vi ol en tl y. On e

b y o ne t he b ea ut if ul w it ch es a pp ro ac he d t o s ti r t he c on te nt s o f t he k et tl e a nd t o m ut te r a m ag ic c ha rm . T he ir

m ove me nt s w e re g r ac e fu l a nd r h yt h m

i c, a nd t he W ic ke d W it ch w ho h ad c al le d t he m t o h er a id w at che d t hem w it h a n e vil gr in upon her w ri nk led

f ac e. F in al ly t he i nc an ta ti on w as c om pl et e. T he k et t le c ea se d b ub bl in g, a nd t og et he r t he w it c he s l if t ed i t f r om

t he f ir e. T he n B li nk ie b ro ug ht a w oo

d en l adl e a nd f il le d i t f ro m t he c ont ent s o f t he k et tl e. Go in g w it h t he s po on t o P ri nc es s G lo ri a, s he c ri ed ,

" Lo ve n o m or e! M ag ic a rt

N ow w il l f re ez e y ou r m or ta l h ea rt !"

W it h t hi s, s he d as he d t he c on te nt s o f t he l ad le f ul l u po n G lo ri a' s b re as t.T ro t s aw t he b od y o f t he P ri nc es s b ec om e t ra ns pa re nt , s o t ha t h er b ea ti ng h ea rt s ho we d p la in ly . B ut

now t he hear t t ur ned f rom a vi vi d r ed t o g ray , a nd t hen t o w hi te. A l ay er o f f ro st f or med a bou t i t, an d t iny

i ci cl es c lu ng t o i ts s ur fa ce . T he n s lo wl y

t he b od y o f t he g ir l b ec am e vi si bl e a ga in , a nd t he h ea rt w as h id de n f ro m vi ew . G lo ri a s ee me d t o h ave f ai nt ed ,

b ut n ow s he r ec ove re d a nd , o pe ni ng h er b ea ut if ul e ye s, s t ar ed c ol dl y a nd w it ho ut e mo ti on a t t he g ro up o f

w it c he s c on fr o nt i ng h er . B li nk i e a nd t

h e ot he rs k ne w by t ha t on e c ol d l oo k t hat t he ir c ha rm ha d b ee n s uc ce ss fu l. Th ey b ur st i nt o a c ho ru s of w il d

l au gh te r, a nd t he t hr ee b ea ut if ul o ne s b eg an d an ci ng a ga in , w hi le B li nk ie u nb ou nd t he P ri nc es s a nd s et h er

free.

T ro t r ub be d h er e ye s t o p ro ve t ha t s he w as w id e a wa ke a nd s ee in g c le ar ly , f or h er a st on is hm en t w as

g re at w he n t he t hr ee l ove ly m ai de ns t ur n ed i nt o u gl y, c r oo ke d h ag s a ga in , l ea ni ng o n b r oo ms t ic k s a nd c an es .

T he y j ee re d a t G lo ri a, b ut t he P ri nc es s r eg ar de d t hem w it h c ol d di sd ai n. B ei ng n ow f re e, s he w al ke d t o a d oo r, o pe ned i t a nd p as se d ou t. A nd t he w it ch es

l et h er g o. Tr ot a nd P on h ad be en s o i nt ent u po n t hi s s cen e t ha t i n t hei r e ag er ne ss t he y h ad p re ss ed qu it e

h ar d a ga in st t he w in do w. J us t a s G lo r

i a w ent o ut of t he h ou se, t he w in do w s as h b ro ke l oos e f ro m i ts f as ten ing s an d f el l w it h a c ras h i nt o t he r oo m.

T he w it ch es u tt er ed a c ho ru s o f s cr ea ms , a nd t he n, s ee in g t ha t t he ir m ag ic al i nc an ta ti on h ad b ee n o bs er ve d,

t he y r us he d f or t he o pe n w in do w w it

h u pl if te d b ro om st ic ks a nd c an es . B ut P on w as o ff l ik e t he w in d, a nd T ro t f ol lo we d a t h is h ee ls . F ea r l en t

t hem s tr en gt h t o r un , t o l ea p ac ro ss di tc he s, t o s pe ed u p t he hi ll s a nd t o va ul t t he l ow f en ces as a d ee r

would.

T he b an d o f w it ch es h ad d as he d t hr ou gh t he w in do w i n p ur su it , b ut B li nk ie w as s o o ld a nd t he o th er s

s o c ro ok ed a nd a wk wa rd t ha t t he y s oo n r ea li ze d t he y w ou ld b e u na bl e t o o ve rt ak e t he f ug it ive s. S o t he t hr ee

w ho h ad b ee n s um mo ne d b y t he W ic ke d W it ch p ut

t he ir c an es o r b ro om st ic k s b et we en t he ir l eg s a nd f le w a wa y t hr ou gh t he a ir , q ui ck ly d is ap pe ar i ng a ga in st

t he b lu e s ky . B li nk ie , h ow eve r, w as s o e nr ag ed a t P on a nd T ro t t ha t s he h ob bl ed o n i n t he d ir ec ti on t he y h ad

t ak e n, f ul l y d et er m in ed t o c a tc h t h em ,

P a g e 4 2



i n t im e, a nd t o p un is h t he m s eve re ly f or s py in g u po n h er w it ch cr af t.

W he n P on a nd T ro t h ad r un s o f ar t he y w er e c on fi de nt t he y h ad m ad e g oo d t he ir e sc ap e, t he y s at

d ow n n ea r t he e dg e o f a f or es t t o g et t he ir b re at h a ga in , f or b ot h w er e p an ti ng h ar d f ro m t he ir e xe rt io ns . T ro t

w as t he f ir st t o r ec ove r s pee ch, an d s he s ai d t

o h er c om pa ni on , " My ! W as n' t i t t er r 'b le ?"

" Th e m os t t er ri bl e t hi ng I e ve r s aw ," P on a gr ee d.

" An d t he y f ro ze G lo ri a' s h ea rt , s o n ow s he c an 't l ove y ou a ny m or e. "

" Wel l, t he y f ro ze h er h ea rt , t o b e s ur e, " a dm it te d P on, " bu t I 'm i n h ope s I c an m el t i t w it h my l ove ."" Wh er e d o y ou s 'p os e G lo ri a i s? " a sk ed t he g ir l a ft er a p au se .

" Sh e l ef t t he w it ch 's h ou se j us t b ef or e w e di d. P er ha ps s he h as go ne ba ck t o t he K in g' s c as tl e, " he

said.

" I' m p re tt y s ur e s he s ta rt ed o ff i n a d if f' re nt d ir ec ti on ," d ec la re d T ro t. " I l oo ke d o ve r m y s ho ul de r a s I

r an t o s ee h ow c lo se t he w it ch es w er e, a nd I 'm s ur e I s aw G lo ri a w al ki ng s lo wl y a wa y t ow ar d t he n or th ."

" Th en l et u s c ir cl e a ro un d t ha t w ay ," p ro po se d P on , " an d p er ha ps w e s ha ll m ee t h er ."

T ro t a gr ee d t o t hi s, a nd t he y l ef t t he g ro ve a nd b eg an t o c ir cl e a ro un d t ow ar d t he n or th , t hu s d ra wi ng

n ea re r a nd n ea re r t o o ld B li nk ie 's h ou se a ga in . T he W ic ke d W it ch d id n ot s us pe ct t hi s c ha ng e o f d ir ec ti on ,

s o w hen s he c am e t o t he gr ove s he p as sed t h

r ough i t and c on ti nu ed on. P on an d T ro t h ad r ea ched a pl ac e l es s t han hal f a mi le f ro m t he w it ch' s h ous e

w he n t he y s aw G lo ri a w al ki ng t ow ar d t he m. T he P ri nc es s m ove d w it h g re at d ig ni ty a nd w it h n o s ho w o f h as te

w ha te ve r , h ol d in g h e r h ea d h i gh a nd l o ok i n

g n ei th er t o r ig ht n or l ef t. P on r us he d f or wa rd , h ol di ng o ut h is a rm s a s i f t o e mb ra ce h er a nd c al li ng h er s we et

n am es . B ut G lo ri a g az ed u po n h im c ol dl y a nd r ep el le d h im w it h a h au gh ty g es tu re . A t t hi s, t he p oo r

g ar de ne r' s b oy s an k u po n h is k ne es a nd h

i d h is f ac e i n h is a rm s, w ee pi ng b it te r t ea rs , b ut t he P ri nc es s w as n ot a t a ll m ove d b y t hi s d is tr es s. P as si ng

h im b y, s he d rew h er s ki rt s as id e a s i f un wi ll in g t he y s ho ul d t ou ch h im , an d t he n s he w al ked up t he pa th a

w ay a nd h es it at ed , a s i f u nc er ta in w

h er e t o g o ne xt .

T ro t w as gr ie ve d b y P on 's s ob s a nd i nd ig na nt b ec au se G lo ri a t re at ed h im s o b ad ly . B ut s he

r em em be re d w hy . " I g ue ss y ou r h ea rt i s f ro ze n, a ll r ig ht ," s he s ai d t o t he P ri nc es s. G lo ri a n od de d g ra ve ly i n

r ep ly , a nd t he n t ur ne d h er b ac k u po n t he l it tl e g ir

l . " Ca n' t y ou l ik e e ve n m e? " a sk ed T ro t, h al f p le ad in gl y.

" N o, " s ai d G lo r ia .

" Yo ur vo ic e s ou nd s l ik e a r ef ri g' ra to r, " s ig he d t he l it tl e g ir l. " I' m a wf ul s or ry f or y ou , ' ca us e y ou w er es we et a n' n ic e t o m e be for e t hi s ha ppe ne d. Yo u c an' t he lp i t, of c our se , bu t i t' s a d re ad fu l t hi ng j us ' t he

same."

" My h ea rt i s f ro ze n t o a ll m or ta l l ove s, " a nn ou nc ed G lo ri a c al ml y. " I d o n ot l ove e ve n m ys el f. "

" Th at 's t oo b ad ," s ai d T ro t, " fo r i f y ou c an 't l ove a ny bo dy , y ou c an 't e xp ec t a ny bo dy t o l ove y ou ."

" I do !" c ri ed P on . " I s ha ll a lw ay s l ove h er ."

" We ll , y ou 'r e j us t a g ar de ne r' s b oy ," r ep li ed T ro t, " an d I d id n' t t hi nk y ou ' mo un te d t o m uc h f ro m t he

f ir st . I c an l ove t he ol d P ri nc es s G lo ri a w it h a w ar m h ea rt a n' ni ce ma nn er s, b ut t hi s on e gi ve s m e t he

shivers."

" It 's h er i cy h ea rt , t ha t' s a ll ," s ai d P on .

" Th at 's e no ug h, " i ns is te d T ro t. " Se ei ng h er h ea rt i sn 't b ig e no ug h t o s ka te o n, I c an 't s ee t ha t s he 's

o f an y u se t o a ny on e. Fo r m y pa rt , I 'm g oi n' t o t ry t o f in d B ut ton -B ri ght a nd C ap 'n B il l. "

" I w il l g o w it h y ou ," d ec id ed P on. " It i s e vi dent t ha t Gl or ia n o l on ger l oves m e an d t ha t he r h ea rt i sf ro ze n t oo s ti ff f or me t o m el t i t w it h my o wn l ove, t he ref or e I ma y as w el l hel p y ou t o f in d y our f ri en ds ."

As Trot started off, Pon cast one more imploring look at the Princess, who returned it with a chilly

s ta re . S o h e f ol low ed a ft er t he l it tl e g ir l. A s f or t he P ri nc es s, s he he si ta te d a mo me nt a nd t hen t ur ne d i n t he

s am e d ir ec ti on t he o th er s h ad t ak en , b u

t g oi ng f ar m or e s lo wl y. S oo n s he h ea rd f oo ts te ps p at te ri ng b eh in d h er , a nd u p c am e G oo gl y- Go o, a l it tl e o ut

o f b r ea th w i th r u nn in g.

" St op, G lo ri a! " h e c ri ed . " I h ave c om e t o t ak e y ou b ac k t o my m ans ion , w he re w e a re t o b e m ar ri ed. "

S he l oo ke d a t h im w on de ri ng ly a m om en t, t he n t os se d h er h ea d d is da in fu ll y a nd w al ke d o n. B ut

G oo gl y- Go o k ep t b es i de h er . " W h at d oe s t hi s m ea n? " h e d em an de d. " Ha ve n' t y ou d is c ove re d t ha t y ou n o

l on ge r l ove t ha t g ar de ne r' s b oy w ho s to od i n m y w ay ?"

" Ye s, I h ave d is co ve re d i t, " s he r ep li ed . " My h ea rt i s f roz en t o a ll mo rt al l ove s. I c ann ot l ove y ou, o r

P on , o r t he c ru el K in g my u nc le , o r e ve n my sel f. Go y our w ay , Go og ly -Go o, f or I s hal l w ed n o on e at al l. "

H e s to pp ed i n d is ma y w he n h e h ea rd t hi s, b ut i n a no th er m in ut e h e e xc la im ed a ng ri ly , " Yo u M US T

w ed m e, P ri nc es s G lor ia, w het her y ou w an t t o o r no t! I pa id t o ha ve y our he ar t f ro zen , I a ls o pa id t he K ing t o

p er mi t o ur m ar ri ag e. I f y ou n ow r ef us e m e, i t

P a g e 4 3



w il l m ea n t ha t I h ave b ee n r ob be d, r ob be d, r ob be d o f m y p re ci ou s m on ey a nd j ew el s! "

H e a lm os t w ep t w it h d es pa ir , b ut s he l au gh ed a c ol d, b it te r l au gh a nd p as se d o n. G oo gl y- Go o

c aug ht a t h er a rm a s i f t o r es tr ai n h er , bu t s he w hi rl ed a nd d ea lt h im a bl ow t hat s en t hi m r eel ing i nt o a di tc h

beside the path. Her e he lay for a l ong t ime, h

a lf c ove re d b y m ud dy w at er , d az ed w it h s ur pr i se . F in al ly t he o ld c ou rt i er a ro se , d ri pp in g, a nd c li mb ed f r om

t he d it ch . T he P ri nc es s h ad g on e, s o, m ut te ri ng t hr ea ts o f ve ng ean ce u po n h er , u pon t he K in g a nd u po n

B li nk ie , o ld G oo gl y -G oo h ob bl ed b ac k t o h is

m an si on t o h ave t he m ud r em ove d f r om h i s c o st l y ve lve t c lo t he s .

P a g e 4 4



CHAPTER 15

T RO T M EE TS T HE S CA RE CR OW

T ro t a nd P on c ove re d m an y l ea gu es o f g ro un d, m ar ch in g t hr ou gh f or es ts , i n f ie ld s a nd i n m an y o f t he

l i t tl e vi ll ag es o f J i nx l an d, b ut c ou ld f in d n o t r ac e o f e it he r C ap 'n B il l o r B ut t on -B r ig ht . Fi na ll y t he y p au se d

b es ide a c or nf ie ld an d s at up on a s ti le t

o r es t. P on t oo k s om e a pp le s f ro m h is p oc ke t a nd g ave o ne t o T ro t. T he n h e b eg an e at in g a no th er h im se lf ,

f or t hi s w as t he ir t im e f or l un ch eo n. W he n h is a pp le w as f in is he d, P on t os se d t he c or e i nt o t he f ie ld ." T ch u k- t c hu k !" s a i d a s t r an g e vo i c e . " W h a t

d o y ou m ea n b y hi tt ing m e i n t he ey e w it h an ap pl e c or e? "

T he n r os e u p t he f or m o f t he S ca re cr ow , w ho h ad h id de n h im se lf i n t he c or nf ie ld w hi le h e e xa mi ne d

P on a nd T ro t a nd d ec id ed w he th er t he y w er e w or th y t o b e h el pe d.

" Ex cu se m e, " s ai d P on . "I d id n' t k no w y ou w er e t he re ."

" Ho w d id y ou h ap pe n t o b e t he re , a ny ho w? " a sk ed T ro t.

T he S ca re cr ow c am e f or wa rd w it h a wk wa rd s te ps a nd s to od b es id e t he m. " Ah , y ou a re t he

ga rden er 's b oy ," he s ai d t o P on . T he n he t ur ned t o Tr ot . " And y ou ar e t he l it tl e gi rl w ho c ame t o J inx lan d

r id in g on a b ig bi rd an d w ho has h ad t he m is for tune t o l os e

h er f r ie nd , C ap 'n B il l, a nd h er c hu m, B ut to n- B ri gh t. "

" Wh y, h ow d id y ou k no w a ll t ha t? " s he i nq ui re d.

" I k no w a l ot o f t hi ng s, " r ep li ed t he S ca re cr ow , w in ki ng a t h er c om ic al ly . " My b ra in s a re t he C ar ef ul ly

Assorted, Double-Distilled, High-Efficiency sort that the Wizard of Oz makes. He admits, himself, that my

b ra in s a re t he b es t h e e ve r m an uf ac tu re d. "

" I t hi nk I 've h ea rd o f y ou ," s ai d T ro t s lo wl y a s s he l oo ke d t he S ca re cr ow o ve r w it h m uc h i nt er es t, " bu t

y ou us ed to l ive in t he Land of Oz ."

" Oh , I d o n ow , " h e r ep li ed c he er fu ll y. " I' ve j u st c o me o ve r t he m ou nt ai ns f ro m t he Q ua dl in g C ou nt r y

to see if I can be of any help to you."

" Wh o, m e? " a sk ed P on .

" No , t he s tr an ge rs f ro m t he b ig w or ld . I t s ee ms t he y n ee d l oo ki ng a ft er ."

" I' m d oi ng t ha t m ys el f, " s ai d P on a l it tl e u ng ra ci ou sl y. " If y ou w il l p ar do n m e f or s ay in g s o, I d on 't

s ee h ow a S ca re cr ow w it h p ai nt ed e ye s c an l oo k a ft er a ny on e. "

" If y ou d on 't s ee t ha t, y ou a re m or e b li nd t ha n t he S ca re cr ow ," a ss er te d T ro t. " He 's a f ai ry m an , P on ,

an d c ome s f ro m t he f ai ry lan d of Oz , s o he c an do ' mos t a ny thi ng . I ho pe ," s he a dd ed , t ur ni ng t o t heS ca re cr ow , " yo u c an f in d C ap 'n B il l f or m e. "

" I w il l t ry , an yh ow ," he p rom is ed. " Bu t w ho i s t ha t ol d w om an w ho i s r un ni ng t ow ar d us a nd s ha ki ng

her stick at us?"

T ro t a nd P on t ur ne d a ro un d a nd b ot h u tt er ed a n e xc la ma ti on o f f ea r. T he n ex t i ns ta nt t he y t oo k t o

t hei r he el s a nd r an f as t u p t he pa th . F or i t w as o ld B li nk ie, t he W ic ke d W it ch , w ho ha d a t l as t t ra ced t hem t o

t hi s pl ac e. H er a nge r w as s o gr ea t t ha t s he

w as d et er mi ne d n ot t o a ba nd on t he c ha se o f P on a nd T ro t u nt il s he h ad c au gh t a nd p un is he d t he m.

T he S ca re cr ow u nd er st oo d a t o nc e t ha t t he o ld w om an m ea nt h ar m t o h is n ew f ri en ds , s o a s s he

d re w n ea r h e s te pp ed b ef or e h er . H is a pp ea ra nc e w as s o s ud de n a nd u ne xp ec te d t ha t B li nk ie r an i nt o h im

and t oppl ed hi m over , b ut s he t ri pp ed o n hi s s tr aw bo dy a

n d w en t r ol li ng i n t he p at h b es id e h im .

Th e Sc ar ec row s at up an d s ai d, " I b eg y ou r par do n! " bu t s he w ha ck ed h im w it h he r s ti ck an dk no ck ed h im f la t a ga in . T he n, f ur io us w it h r ag e, t he o ld w it ch s pr an g u po n t he b od y o f h er vi ct im a nd b eg an

p ul li ng t he s tr aw o ut o f h is b od y. T he p oo r S ca re cr ow

was hel pless t o r es ist , and i n a few moments al l that w as left of him w as an empt y suit of cl othes and a

h ea p o f s tr aw b es id e i t. F or tu na te ly , B li nk ie d id n ot h ar m h is h ea d, f or i t r ol le d i nt o a l it tl e h ol lo w a nd

e sc ap ed h er n ot ic e. F ea ri ng t ha t P on a n

d T ro t w ou ld e sc ap e h er , s he q ui ck ly r es um ed t he c ha se a nd d is ap pe ar ed o ve r t he b ro w o f a h il l, f ol lo wi ng t he

d ir ec ti on i n w hi ch s he h ad s ee n t he m g o.

O nl y a s ho rt t im e e la ps ed b ef or e a g ra y g ra ss ho pp er w it h a w oo de n l eg c am e h op pi ng a lo ng a nd l it

d ir ec tl y o n t he u pt ur ne d f ac e o f t he S ca re cr ow 's h ea d. " Pa rd on m e, b ut y ou a re r es ti ng y ou r s el f u po n m y

n o se , " r e ma r ke d t h e S c ar e cr o w.

" Oh ! A r e y ou a li ve ?" a sk ed t he g ra ss ho pp er .

" Th at i s a q ue st io n I h ave n eve r b ee n a bl e t o d ec id e, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow 's h ea d. " Wh en m y b od y i s

p ro pe rl y s tu ff ed , I h ave a ni ma ti on a nd c an m ove a ro un d a s w el l a s a ny l ive p er so n. T he b ra in s i n t he h ea d

y ou ar e now o cc upy in g as a t hr one ar e of ve ry s

u pe ri or q ua li ty a nd d o a l ot o f ve ry c le ve r t hi nk in g. B ut w he th er t ha t i s b ei ng a li ve o r n ot , I c an no t p ro ve t o

P a g e 4 5



y ou, f or on e w ho l ive s i s l ia bl e t o d eat h, w hi le I am o nl y l ia bl e t o d es tr uc ti on ."

" See ms t o m e, " s ai d t he g ras sh op per , r ub bi ng h is n os e w it h h is f ro nt l egs , " tha t i n y ou r c as e i t

d o es n 't m a tt e r- - un l es s y o u' r e d es t r oy e d a l re ad y ."

" I a m n ot . A ll I n ee d i s r e- st uf fi ng ," d ec la re d t he S ca re cr ow , " an d i f P on a nd T ro t e sc ap e t he w it ch

a nd c om e ba ck he re, I a m s ur e t he y w il l d o me t ha t f avo r. "

" Te ll m e! A re T ro t a nd P on a ro un d h er e? " i nq ui re d t he g ra ss ho pp er , i ts s ma ll vo ic e t r em bl in g w i th

e xc it em en t. T he S ca re cr ow d id n ot a ns we r a t o nc e, f or b ot h h is e ye s w er e s ta ri ng s tr ai gh t u pw ar d a t a

b ea ut if ul f ac e t ha t w as s li gh tl y b en t o ve r h is h ea d.I t w as , i nd ee d, P ri nc es s G lo ri a, w ho h ad w an de re d t o t hi s s po t, ve ry m uc h s ur pr is ed w he n s he h ea rd t he

S ca re cr ow 's h ea d t al k a nd t he t in y g ra y g ra ss ho pp er a ns w er i t ."

" Th is ," s ai d t he S ca re cr ow , s ti ll s ta ri ng a t h er , " mu st b e t he P ri nc es s w ho l ove s P on , t he g ar de ne r' s

boy."

" Oh i nd ee d! " e xc la im ed t he g ra ss ho pp er , w ho o f c ou rs e w as C ap 'n B il l, a s h e e xa mi ne d t he y ou ng

l a d y c u r i ou s l y.

" No ," s ai d G lo ri a f ri gi dl y, " I d o n ot l ove P on or a ny one el se , f or t he W ic ke d W it ch ha s f roz en m y

heart."

" Wh at a s ha me !" c ri ed t he S ca re cr ow . " On e s o l ove ly s ho ul d b e a bl e t o l ove . B ut w ou ld y ou m in d,

m y d ea r, s tu ff in g t ha t s tr aw i nt o m y b od y a ga in ?"

T he d ai nt y P ri nc es s g la nc ed a t t he s tr aw a nd a t t he w el l- wo rn , b lu e M un ch ki n c lo th es a nd s hr an k

b ac k i n d is da in . B ut s he w as s pa re d f ro m r ef us in g t he S ca re cr ow 's r eq ue st b y t he a pp ea ra nc e o f T ro t a nd

P on , w ho h ad h id de n i n s om e b us he s j us t o ver t he b ro w

o f t he h il l a nd w ai te d un ti l ol d B li nk ie h ad pa ss ed t he m b y. Th ei r h idi ng p la ce w as o n t he s ame s id e as t he

w it ch' s bl in d ey e, a nd s he r us he d on i n t he c ha se of t he gi rl a nd t he y ou th w it ho ut be ing a war e t ha t t he y h ad

t r i ck e d h e r.

T ro t w as s ho ck ed a t t he S ca re cr ow 's s ad c on di ti on a nd a t o nc e b eg an p ut ti ng t he s tr aw b ac k i nt o h is

b od y. Po n, a t s ig ht o f G lo ri a, a ga in a pp ea le d t o h er t o t ak e p it y o n h im , b ut t he f ro ze n- he ar te d P ri nc es s

t ur ne d c ol dl y a wa y, a nd w it h a s ig h t he g ar de ne

r 's b oy b eg an t o a ss is t T ro t. N ei th er o f t he m a t f ir st n ot ic ed t he s ma ll g ra ss ho pp er , w hi ch a t t he ir a pp ea ra nc e

h ad s ki pp ed o ff t he S ca re cr ow 's n os e a nd w as n ow c li ng in g t o a w is p o f g ra ss b es id e t he p at h w he re h e w as

n ot l ik el y t o b e s tep pe d o n. N ot u n

t il t he S ca re cr ow h ad b ee n n ea tl y r es tu ff ed a nd s et u po n h is f ee t a ga in -- wh en h e b ow ed t o h is r es to re rs a nd

e xp re ss ed h is t ha nk s- - di d t he g ra ss ho pp er m ove f ro m h is p er ch . T he n h e l ea pe d l ig ht l y i nt o t he p at h a nd

c al le d ou t, " Tr ot , Tr ot ! L oo k a t me . I 'mC ap 'n B il l! S ee w hat t he W ic ke d W it ch h as d on e t o me ."

The vo ic e w as s ma ll , t o b e s ur e, b ut i t r ea ch ed T ro t' s e ar s a nd s ta rt le d h er g re at ly . S he l oo ke d

i nt en tl y a t t he g ra ss ho pp er , h er e ye s w id e w it h f ea r a t f ir st , t he n s he k ne lt d ow n, a nd n ot ic in g t he w oo de n l eg

s he b eg an t o w ee p s or ro wf ul ly . " Oh , C ap 'n B

i ll , de ar C ap 'n B il l! W ha t a c ru el t hi ng t o d o! " s he s ob bed .

" Do n' t c ry , T ro t, " b eg ge d t he g ra ss ho pp er . " It d id n' t h ur t a ny , a nd i t d oe sn 't h ur t n ow . B ut i t' s m ig ht y

i nc on ve ni e nt a n' h um il i at i n' , t o s ay t h e l ea st . "

" I w is h, " s ai d t he g ir l i nd ig na nt ly w hi le t ry in g t o r es tr ai n h er t ea rs , " th at I w as b ig ' no ug h a n' s tr on g

'nough t o give t ha t h or ri d w it ch a go od b eat ing . Sh e oug ht t o b e t ur ned i nt o a t oa d f or d oi ng t hi s t o y ou , C ap' n

Bill!"

" Ne ve r m in d, " u rg ed t he S ca re cr ow i n a c om fo rt in g vo ic e, " s uc h a t r an sf o rm at i on d oe s n' t l as t a lw ay s ,

an d as a g en er al t hi ng t he re 's s om e w ay t o b rea k t he e nc han tm en t. I 'm s ur e Gl ind a c oul d d o i t i n a j if fy ."" Wh o i s G li nd a? " i nq ui r ed C ap 'n B il l.

T he n t he S ca re cr ow t ol d t he m a ll a bo ut G li nd a, n ot f or ge tt in g t o m en ti on h er b ea ut y a nd g oo dn es s

a nd h er w on de rf ul p ow er s o f m ag ic . H e a ls o e xp la in ed h ow t he R oy al S or ce re ss h ad s en t h im t o J in xl an d

e sp ec ia ll y t o h el p t he s tr an ge rs , w ho m s he k ne w t o b e

i n d ang er be ca us e o f t he w il es o f t he c ru el K ing an d t he W ic ke d W it ch .

P a g e 4 6



CHAPTER 16

P ON S UM MO NS T HE K IN G T O S UR RE ND ER

Gl or ia ha d dr aw n n ear t o t he g rou p t o l is te n t o t he ir t al k, a nd i t s ee me d t o i nt er es t h er i n s pi te of h er

f ri gi d m an ne r. T he y k ne w, o f c ou rs e, t ha t t he p oo r P ri nc es s c ou ld n ot h el p b ei ng c ol d a nd r es er ve d, s o t he y

tr ied not t o bl ame her . "I ought to ha

ve c om e h er e a l it tl e s oo ne r, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow r eg re tf ul ly , " bu t G li nd a s en t m e a s s oo n a s s he d is co ver ed

y ou w er e h er e a nd w er e l ik el y t o g et i nt o t ro ub le . A nd n ow t ha t w e a re a ll t og et he r- -e xc ep t B ut to n- Br ig ht , o ver w hom i t i s us el es s t o w or ry -- I p ro

pose we hold a council of war t o decide what is best t o be done. "

T ha t s ee med a w is e t hi ng t o d o, s o t he y al l s at d ow n u po n t he g ra ss , i nc lud ing G lo ri a, an d t he

g ra ss ho pp er p er ch ed u po n T ro t' s s ho ul de r a nd a ll ow ed h er t o s tr ok e h im g en tl y w it h h er h an d. " In t he f ir st

p la ce ," b eg an t he S ca re cr ow , " th is K in g K re wl i s a

u su rp er w ho h as n o r ig ht t o r ul e t hi s K in gd om o f J in xl an d. "

" Th at i s t ru e, " s ai d P on e ag er ly . " My f at he r w as K in g b ef or e h im , a nd I -- "

" Yo u a re a g ar de ne r' s b oy ," i nt er ru pt ed t he S ca re cr ow . " Yo ur f at he r h ad n o r ig ht t o r ul e, e it he r, f or

t he r ig ht fu l K in g of t hi s l an d w as t he f at her of P ri nc es s Gl or ia , an d o nl y s he i s e nt it le d t o s it u po n t he t hr on e

of Jinxland."

" Go od !" e xc la im ed T ro t. " Bu t w ha t' ll w e d o w it h K in g K re wl ? I s 'p os e h e w on 't g ive u p t he t hr on e

u nl es s h e h as t o. "

" No , o f c our se no t, " s ai d t he S ca rec ro w. " Th er ef or e i t w il l be o ur d ut y t o M AK E hi m gi ve up t he

throne."

" H ow ? " a s ke d T r ot .

" Gi ve me t im e t o t hi nk ," w as t he r epl y. " Tha t' s w hat m y br ai ns a re f or . I do n't k no w w he th er y ou

peopl e eve r t hi nk o r n ot , bu t my b ra ins a re t he b es t t ha t t he W iz ar d o f O z e ver t ur ned o ut , a nd i f I gi ve t hem

p le nt y o f t im e t o w or k, t he r es ul t u su al ly s

u r pr i s es m e ."

" Ta ke y ou r t i me , t he n, " s ug ge st ed T ro t. " Th er e' s n o h ur r y. "

" Th an k y ou ," s ai d t he s tr aw m an , a nd s at p er fe ct ly s ti ll f or h al f a n h ou r. D ur in g t hi s i nt er va l, t he

g ra ss ho pp er w hi sp er ed i n T ro t' s e ar , t o w hi ch h e w as ve ry c lo se , a nd T ro t w hi sp er ed b ac k t o t he g ra ss ho pp er

s i tt i ng u po n h er s ho ul de r . P on c as t l ovi ng

g la nc es a t G lo ri a, w ho p ai d n ot t he s li gh te st h ee d t o t he m. F in al ly t he S ca re cr ow l au gh ed a lo ud .

" B ra i ns w o rk i ng ?" i n qu i re d T r ot ." Ye s, t hey s eem i n f in e or de r t od ay . W e w il l c onq ue r K in g K re wl an d pu t Gl or ia u pon h is t hr one a s

Q ue en o f J i nx l an d. "

" Fi ne !" c r ie d t he l it t le g ir l , c la pp in g h er h an ds t og et he r g le ef ul l y. " Bu t h ow ?"

"Leave t he H OW t o m e, " s ai d t he S car ec row pr oud ly . " As a c on qu er or I 'm a w ond er . W e w il l f ir st o f

a ll w ri te a m es sag e t o s en d t o K ing K re wl , a sk in g h im t o s ur ren de r. I f h e r ef us es , t hen w e w il l ma ke h im

surrender."

" Wh y a sk h im w he n w e K NO W h e' ll r ef us e? " i nq ui re d P on .

" Wh y, w e m us t b e p ol it e, w ha te ve r w e d o, " e xp la in ed t he S ca re cr ow . " It w ou ld b e ve ry r ud e t o

c on qu er a K in g w it ho ut p ro pe r n ot ic e. "

Th ey f ound i t di ff ic ul t t o w ri te a m es sa ge w it hou t p ap er , p en an d i nk , no ne of w hi ch w as a t h an d, s o i t

w as d ec id ed t o s en d P on a s a m es se ng er w it h i ns tr uc ti on s t o a sk t he K in g, p ol it el y b ut f ir ml y, t o s ur re nd er .

P on w as n ot a nx io us t o b e t he m es se ng er .I nd ee d, h e h in te d t ha t i t m ig ht p ro ve a d an ge ro us m is si on . B ut t he S ca re cr ow w as t he a ck no wl ed ge d h ea d

of t he A rmy of C onq ues t, an d he w oul d l is te n t o no r ef us al . S o o ff P on s tar te d f or t he K ing' s c as tl e, an d t he

o th er s ac com pa ni ed h im a s f ar as h is h

u t, w he re t he y h ad d ec id ed t o a wa it t he g ar de ne r' s b oy 's r et ur n.

I t hi nk i t w as be ca us e P on h ad k no wn t he S car ec row s uc h a s hor t t im e t hat h e l ac ked c onf id en ce i n

t he s tr aw m an' s w is do m. I t w as e as y t o s ay , " We w il l c onq uer K in g K rew l, " b ut w he n P on d rew n ea r t o t he

g re at c as tl e, h e b eg an t o d oub t t he a bi li ty o f a s t

r aw -s tu ff ed m an , a g ir l, a g ra ss ho pp er a nd a f ro ze n- he ar te d P ri nc es s t o d o i t. A s f or h im se lf , h e h ad n ever

t ho ug ht o f d ef yi ng t he K in g b ef or e.

T ha t w as w hy t he g ar de ne r' s b oy w as n ot ve ry b ol d w he n h e e nt er ed t he c as tl e a nd p as se d t hr ou gh

t o t he e nc lo se d c ou rt w he re t he K in g w as j us t t he n s ea te d w it h h is f avo ri te c ou rt ie rs a ro un d h im . N on e

pr eve nt ed P on 's e nt ra nc e, b ec au se h e w as k no wn t o b e t

h e g ar de ne r' s b oy , b ut w he n t he K in g s aw h im , h e b eg an t o f ro wn f ie rc el y. H e c on si de re d P on t o b e t o b la me

f or a ll h is t ro ub le w it h P ri nc es s G lo ri a, w ho s in ce h er h ea rt h ad b ee n f ro ze n h ad e sc ap ed t o s om e u nk no wn

p la ce i ns te ad o f r et ur ni ng t o t he c as tl e

P a g e 4 7



t o w ed G oo gl y- Go o a s s he h ad b ee n e xp ec te d t o d o. S o t he K in g b ar ed h is t ee th a ng ri ly a s h e d em an de d,

" W ha t h ave y ou d on e w it h P r in ce ss G lo ri a? "

" No th in g, y ou r M aj es ty ! I h ave d on e n ot hi ng a t a ll ," a ns we re d P on i n a f al te ri ng vo ic e. " Sh e d oe s n ot

l ove me a ny mo re a nd eve n r ef us es t o s pe ak t o m e. "

" Th en w hy a re y ou h er e, y ou r as ca l? " r oa re d t he K in g.

P on l oo ke d f ir st o ne w ay a nd t he n a no th er , b ut s aw n o m ea ns o f e sc ap e, s o h e p lu ck ed u p c ou ra ge .

" I a m h er e t o s um mo n y ou r M aj es ty t o s ur re nd er ."

" Wh at ! " s ho ut ed t he K in g. " Su rr en de r? S ur r en de r t o w ho m? "P on 's h ea rt s an k t o h is b oo ts . " To t he S ca re cr ow ," h e r ep li ed .

S om e o f t he c ou rt ie rs b eg an t o t it te r, b ut K in g K re wl w as g re at ly a nn oy ed . H e s pr an g u p a nd b eg an

t o b ea t p oo r P on w it h t he g ol de n s ta ff h e c ar ri ed . P on h ow le d l us ti ly a nd w ou ld h ave r un a wa y h ad n ot t wo o f

t he s ol di er s h el d hi m un ti l h is M aj es ty w as e

x ha us te d w it h p un is hi ng t he b oy . T he y t he y l et h im g o, a nd h e l ef t t he c as tl e a nd r et ur ne d a lo ng t he r oa d,

s ob bi ng a t e ve ry s te p b ec au se h is b od y w as s o s or e a nd a ch in g.

" We ll , " s ai d t he S c ar e cr ow , " di d t h e K in g s ur r en de r? "

" No , b ut h e g ave m e a g oo d d ru bb in g! " s ob be d p oo r P on .

T ro t w as ve ry s or ry f or P on , b ut G lo ri a d id n ot s ee m a ff ec te d i n a ny w ay b y h er l ove r' s a ng ui sh . T he

g ra ss ho pp er l ea pe d t o t he S ca re cr ow 's s ho ul de r a nd a sk ed h im w ha t h e w as g oi ng t o d o n ex t. " Co nq ue r, "

was t he r eply . " But I w il l go alone thi s t ime, f

o r b ea ti ngs c ann ot h ur t m e a t a ll , no r c an l an ce t hr us ts o r s wo rd c ut s o r ar row p ri ck s. "

" Wh y i s t ha t? " i nq ui re d T ro t.

" Be ca us e I h ave n o n er ve s s u ch a s y o u m ea t p eo pl e p os s es s . E ve n g ra ss ho pp er s h ave n er ve s , b ut

s t ra w d oe sn 't , s o w ha te ve r t he y d o- - ex ce pt o ne t hi ng -- th ey c an no t i nj ur e m e. T he re fo re I e xp ec t t o c on qu er

K in g K r ew l w it h e as e. "

" Wh at i s t ha t o ne t hi ng y ou e xc ep te d? " a sk ed T ro t.

" The y w il l n eve r t hi nk of i t, s o n ever mi nd. A nd n ow , i f y ou w il l k in dl y e xc us e m e f or a t im e, I 'l l g o

ove r t o t he c as tl e a nd d o m y c on qu er in g. "

" Yo u h ave n o w ea po ns ," P on r em in de d h im .

" Tr ue ," s ai d t he S ca re cr ow . " Bu t i f I c ar r ie d w ea po ns , I m ig ht i nj ur e s om eo ne , p er ha ps s er i ou sl y,

an d t ha t w oul d ma ke me un hap py . I w il l j us t bo rr ow t hat r idi ng w hi p w hi ch I s ee i n t he c or ner of y ou r hut , i f

y ou d on 't m in d. I t i sn 't e xa ct ly p ro pe r t o

w al k w it h a r id in g w hi p, b ut I t ru st y ou w il l e xc us e t he i nc on si st enc y. "

P on h an de d h im t he w hi p, a nd t he S ca re cr ow b ow ed t o a ll t he p ar ty a nd l ef t t he h ut , p ro ce ed in gl ei su re ly a lo ng t he w ay t o t he K in g' s c as tl e.

P a g e 4 8



CHAPTER 17

THE ORK RESCUES BUTTON-BRIGHT

I m us t n ow t el l y ou w ha t h ad b ec om e o f B ut to n- Br ig ht s in ce h e w an de re d a wa y i n t he m or ni ng a nd

g ot l os t. Th is s ma ll b oy , a s p er ha ps y ou h ave d is co ve re d, w as a lm os t a s d es ti tu te o f n er ve s a s t he

S ca re cr ow . N ot hi ng e ve r a st on is he d h im m uc h; n ot hi ng e ve r w

o rr ie d h im o r m ad e h im u nh ap py . G oo d f or tu ne o r b ad f or tu ne h e a cc ep te d w it h a q ui et s mi le , n ever

c om pl ai ni ng w ha te ve r h ap pe ne d. T hi s w as o ne r ea so n w hy B ut t on -B ri gh t w as a f avo ri te w it h a ll w ho k ne whi m, a nd pe rha ps i t w as t he r ea son w hy he s o of ten go

t i nt o d if fi cu lt ie s o r f ou nd h im se lf l os t.

T od ay , a s h e w an de re d h er e a nd t he re , o ve r h il l a nd d ow n d al e, h e m is se d T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l, o f

w ho m h e w as ve ry f on d, b ut n eve rt he le ss h e w as n ot u nh ap py . T he b ir ds s an g m er r il y a nd t he w il df lo we rs

w er e b ea ut if ul a nd t he b re ez e h ad a f ra gr an ce o f n ew -

m ow n h ay . " Th e on ly ba d t hi ng a bou t t hi s c oun tr y i s i ts K in g, " h e r ef le ct ed, " bu t t he c ou nt ry i sn 't t o b la me f or

that."

A prairie dog stuck its round head out of a mound of earth and looked at the boy with bright eyes.

" Wal k a ro un d m y h ou se, pl ea se, " i t s ai d, " and t he n y ou w on 't h ar m i t o r di st ur b t he ba bi es ."

" Al l r ig ht ," a ns we re d B ut to n- Br ig ht , a nd t oo k c ar e n ot t o s te p o n t he m ou nd . H e w en t o n, w hi st li ng

m er ri ly , u nt il a p et ul an t vo ic e c ri ed , " Oh s to p i t! P le as e s to p t ha t n oi se . I t g et s o n m y n er ve s. "

B ut ton -B ri gh t s aw a n o ld g ray o wl s it ti ng i n t he c ro tc h of a t ree , a nd h e r epl ied w it h a l aug h, " Al l r ig ht ,

o ld F us sy ," an d s top pe d w hi st li ng u nt il h e ha d pa ss ed o ut of t he o wl 's h ea ri ng . A t no on h e c am e t o a

f a rm ho us e w he r e a n a ge d c o up le l i ve d . T h ey

gave hi m a goo d di nn er a nd t re at ed hi m k in dl y, bu t t he ma n w as d eaf an d t he w om an w as du mb, s o t hey

c ou ld a ns wer no q ues ti on s t o g ui de hi m on t he w ay t o P on' s h ous e. W hen he l ef t t he m, h e w as j us t a s mu ch

l os t a s h e h ad b ee n b ef or e.

E ve ry g ro ve o f t re es h e s aw f ro m a d is ta nc e h e vi si te d, f or h e r em em be re d t ha t t he K in g' s c as tl e w as

n ea r a gr ove o f t re es a nd P on 's h ut w as n ea r t he K in g' s c as tl e, b ut a lw ay s h e m et w it h d is ap po in tm en t.

F in al ly , p as s in g t hr ou gh o ne o f t he se g ro ve s , h e c

a me o ut i nt o t he o pe n a nd f ou nd h im se lf f ac e t o f ac e w it h t he O rk . " He ll o! " s ai d B ut to n- Br ig ht . " Wh er e d id

Y OU c om e f r om ?"

" Fr om Or kl an d, " w as t he r ep ly . " I' ve f oun d my o wn c oun tr y a t l as t, a nd i t i s no t f ar f ro m he re, e it he r.

I woul d have c ome b ac k t o y ou s oo ne r t o s ee ho w y ou ar e ge tt ing al on g h ad n ot m y f am il y a nd f ri end s

w el co me d m y r et ur n s o r oy al ly t ha t a g re at c el ebr at io n w as h el d i n m y h on or . S o I c ou ld n' t ve ry w el l l ea ve O rk la nd a ga in u nt il t he e xc it em en t w as o ve r. "

" Ca n y ou f in d y ou r w ay b ac k h om e a ga in ?" a sk ed t he b oy .

" Ye s, e as il y, f or no w I k no w e xa ct ly w he re i t i s. B ut w he re ar e T ro t an d C ap' n B il l? "

B ut to n- Br ig ht r el at ed t o t he O rk t he ir a dve nt ur es s in ce i t h ad l ef t t he m i n J in xl an d, t el li ng o f T ro t' s f ea r

t ha t t he K in g h ad d on e s om et hi ng w ic ke d t o C ap 'n B il l, a nd o f P on 's l ove f or G lor ia, a nd h ow T rot a nd

B ut to n- Br ig ht h ad b ee n t ur ne d o ut o f t he K i

n g' s c as tl e. Th at w as a ll t he ne ws t he bo y h ad , b ut i t m ade t he Or k a nx io us f or t he s af et y of h is f ri end s.

" We must go t o t hem at onc e, f or t hey may need us, " he sai d.

" I d on 't k no w w he re t o g o, " c on fe ss ed B ut t on - Br i gh t. " I 'm l os t. "

" We ll , I c an t ak e y ou b ac k t o t he hu t of t he ga rde ne r' s bo y, " p rom is ed t he Or k, " fo r w hen I f ly h ig h i n

t he a ir I c an l oo k do wn a nd e as il y s py t he K in g' s c as tl e. T hat w as h ow I ha ppe ne d t o s py y ou j us t en te ri ng

t he gr ove , s o I f le w d ow n a nd w ai te d u nt ily ou c am e o ut ."

" How c an y ou c ar ry m e? " a sk ed t he bo y.

" You' ll h ave t o s it s tr ad dl e m y s ho ul de rs a nd p ut y our a rm s a ro und m y n ec k. D o y ou t hi nk y ou c an

k ee p f r om f a ll i ng o ff ? "

" I' ll t ry ," s ai d B ut to n- Br ig ht . S o t he O rk s qu at te d d ow n a nd t he b oy t ook hi s s ea t a nd h el d o n t ig ht .

T he n t he s ki nn y c re at ur e' s t ai l b eg an w hi rl in g a nd u p t he y w en t, f ar a bo ve a ll t he t re et op s. A ft er t he O rk h ad

c ir cl ed a ro un d o nc e o r t wi ce , i ts s ha r

p e yes l oc at ed t he t ow er s of t he c as tl e, a nd a wa y i t f le w, s tr ai gh t t ow ar d t he p al ac e. A s i t ho ver ed i n t he ai r

n ea rb y t he c as tl e, B ut to n- Br ig ht p oi nt ed o ut P on 's h ut , s o t he y l an de d j us t b ef or e i t a nd T ro t c am e r un ni ng

o ut t o g ree t t he m. G lor ia w as i nt r

o du ce d t o t he O rk , w ho w as s ur pr is ed t o f in d C ap 'n B il l t ra ns fo rm ed i nt o a g ra ss ho pp er .

" Ho w d o y ou l ik e i t? " a sk ed t he c re at ur e.

" Wh y, i t w or ri es m e a g oo d d ea l, " a ns we re d C ap 'n B il l, p er ch ed u po n T ro t' s s ho ul de r. " I' m a lw ay s

af ra id o' be in ' s tepp ed on, an d I don' t l ik e t he f lavor o f g ra ss a n' c an 't s ee m t o g et us ed t o i t. I t' s m y n at ur e t o

eat gr ass , y ou know, but I begi n t o su

P a g e 4 9



s pe ct i t' s a n a cq ui re d t as te ."

" Ca n y ou g ive m ol as se s? " a sk ed t he O rk .

" I gu es s I 'm no t t hat k in d of a g ra ss hop pe r, " r epl ied C ap' n B il l, " bu t I c an 't s ay w ha t I mi ght d o i f I w as

s qu ee ze d- -w hi ch I h op e I w on 't b e. "

" Wel l, " s ai d t he Or k, " it 's a gr eat pit y, and I 'd l ike t o meet t hat c ruel Ki ng and his Wi ck ed Wi tch and

p un is h t he m s eve re ly . Y ou 'r e a wf ul ly s ma ll , C ap 'n B il l, b ut I t hi nk I w ou ld r ec og ni ze y ou a ny wh er e b y y ou r

wooden leg."

T he n t he O rk a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht w er e t ol d a ll a bo ut G lo ri a' s f ro ze n h ea rt a nd h ow t he S ca re cr ow h adc om e f ro m t he L an d o f O z t o h el p t he m. T he O rk s ee me d r at he r d is tu rb ed w he n i t l ea rn ed t ha t t he S ca re cr ow

h ad g on e a lo ne t o c on qu er K in g K re wl . " I' m a fr ai

d h e' ll m ak e a f iz zl e o f i t, " s ai d t he s ki nn y c re at ur e, " and t he re 's n o t el li ng w ha t t hat t er ri bl e K ing mi gh t d o t o

t he p oo r S ca re cr ow , w ho s ee ms l ik e a ve ry i nt er es ti ng p er so n. S o I b el ie ve I 'l l t ak e a h an d i n t hi s c on qu es t

myself."

" H ow ? " a s ke d T r ot .

" Wait and see, " was the r epl y. " But fi rs t of al l I must f ly home agai n, bac k to my own c ount ry , so i f

y ou' ll f or gi ve m y l ea vi ng y ou s o s oon , I 'l l b e o ff a t o nc e. S ta nd aw ay f rom m y t ai l, p le as e, s o t ha t t he w in d

f ro m i t w he n i t r evo lve s w on 't k no ck y ou

over."

Th ey gave t he c re at ur e p le nt y o f r oo m, a nd a wa y i t w en t l ik e a f la sh a nd s oo n d is ap pe ar ed i n t he

s k y. " I w on de r, " s ai d B ut t on -B r ig ht , l oo ki ng s ol em nl y a ft er t he O rk , " wh et he r h e' l l e ve r c om e b ac k a ga in ."

" Of c ou rs e h e w il l! " r et ur ne d T ro t. " Th e O rk 's a p re tt y g oo d f el lo w, a nd w e c an d ep en d o n h im . A n'

m ar k m y w or ds , B ut to n- Br ig ht , w he ne ve r o ur O rk d oe s c om e b ac k, t he re 's o ne c ru el K in g i n J in xl an d t ha t' ll

w is h h e h ad n' t. "

P a g e 5 0



CHAPTER 18

T HE S CA RE CR OW M EE TS A N E NE MY

T he S ca re cr ow w as n ot a b it a fr ai d o f K in g K re wl . I nd ee d, h e r at he r e nj oy ed t he p ro sp ec t o f

c on qu er in g t he e vi l K in g a nd p ut ti ng G lo ri a o n t he t hr on e o f J in xl an d i n h is p la ce . S o h e a dva nc ed b ol dl y t o

t he r oy al c as tl e a nd d em an de d a dm it ta nc e.

S ee in g t ha t he w as a s tr an ger , t he s ol di er s a ll ow ed hi m t o e nt er . H e m ad e h is w ay s tr ai ght t o t he

t hr on e r oo m, w he re a t t ha t t im e h is M aj es ty w as s et tl in g t he d is pu te s a mo ng h is s ub je ct s. " Wh o a re y ou ?"d em an d ed t h e K i ng .

" I' m t he S ca re cr ow o f O z, a nd I c om ma nd y ou t o s ur re nd er y ou rs el f m y p ri so ne r. "

" Wh y s ho ul d I d o t ha t? " i nq ui re d t he K in g, m uc h a st on is he d a t t he s tr aw m an 's a ud ac it y.

" Be ca us e I 've d ec id ed y ou a re t oo c ru el a K in g t o r ul e s o b ea ut if ul a c ou nt ry . Y ou m us t r em em be r

t ha t J in xl an d i s a p ar t o f O z, a nd t he re fo re y ou o we a ll eg ia nc e t o O zm a o f O z, w ho se f ri en d a nd s er va nt I

am."

N ow w he n h e h ea rd t hi s, K in g K re wl w as m uc h d is tu rb ed i n m in d, f or h e k ne w t he S ca re cr ow s po ke

t he t rut h. B ut no o ne ha d e ve r be for e c ome t o J inx la nd f rom t he La nd o f Oz , and t he K ing d id n ot i nt end t o be

pu t o ut of h is t hr one i f he c oul d he lp i t. T her

ef or e he ga ve a h ar sh , w ic ke d l au gh o f d er is io n a nd s ai d, " I' m b us y n ow . S ta nd o ut o f m y w ay , S ca re cr ow ,

and I 'll tal k wi th you by and by. "

B ut t he S ca re cr ow t ur ne d t o t he a ss em bl ed c ou rt ie rs a nd p eo pl e a nd c al le d i n a l ou d vo ic e, " I h er eb y

d ec lar e, i n t he na me of O zm a o f Oz , t hat t hi s ma n i s n o l on ge r r ul er of J in xl and . Fr om t hi s m om ent P ri nc es s

G lo ri a i s y ou r r ig ht fu l Q ue en , a nd I a sk a ll

of y ou t o be loyal t o her and to obey her commands. "

T he p eo pl e l oo ke d f ea rf ul ly a t t he K in g, w ho m t he y a ll h at ed i n t he ir h ea rt s, b ut l ik ew is e f ea re d.

K re wl w as n ow i n a t er ri bl e r ag e, a nd h e r ai se d h is g ol de n s ce pt er a nd s tr uc k t he S ca re cr ow s o h ea vy a b lo w

that he f ell t o the fl oor. But he was up agai

n i n an i ns ta nt , a nd w it h P on' s r idi ng w hi p he s wi tc hed t he K ing s o h ar d t ha t t he w ic ked m on ar ch r oar ed w it h

p ai n a s mu ch as w it h r ag e, c al li ng on hi s s ol di er s t o c apt ur e t he S car ec row . Th ey t ri ed t o d o t ha t, an d t hr us t

t he ir l anc es a nd s wor ds i nt o t he s

t ra w b od y, b ut w it ho ut d oi ng a ny d am ag e e xc ep t t o m ak e h ol es i n t he S ca re cr ow 's c lo th es . H ow eve r, t he y

w er e m an y a ga in st o ne , a nd f in al ly o ld G oo gl y- Go o b ro ug ht a r op e w hi ch h e w ou nd a ro un d t he S ca re cr ow ,

b in di ng h is l eg s t og et he r a nd hi s a rm s t o h is s id

e s, a nd a ft er t ha t t he f ig ht w as o ve r.T he K in g s tor me d a nd da nc ed ar ou nd i n a d re adf ul f ur y, f or h e h ad n eve r b ee n s o s wi tc he d s in ce h e

w as a b oy -- an d p er ha ps n ot t he n. H e o rd er ed t he S ca re cr ow t hr us t i nt o t he c as tl e p ri so n, w hi ch w as n o t as k

a t a ll b ec au se o ne m an c ou ld c ar ry hi m e as il y, b

o un d a s h e w as . Eve n a ft er t he p ri so ne r w as r em ove d, t he K in g c ou ld n ot c on tr ol h is a ng er . H e t ri ed t o f ig ur e

o ut s ome w ay t o b e r even ged up on t he s tr aw m an , b ut c ou ld t hi nk of no thi ng t ha t c ou ld h ur t hi m. A t l as t,

w he n t he t er ri fi ed p eo pl e a nd t he f ri g

h te ne d c ou rt ie rs h ad a ll s lu nk a wa y, o ld G oo gl y- Go o a pp ro ac he d t he k in g w it h a m al ic io us g ri n u po n h is f ac e.

" I'l l t el l y ou w ha t t o do ," s ai d he . " Bu il d a bi g b on fi re an d bu rn t he S ca re cr ow up , an d t ha t w il l be t he en d of

him."

T he K in g w as s o d el ig ht ed w it h t hi s s ug ge st io n t ha t h e h ug ge d o ld G oo gl y- Go o i n h is j oy . " Of

c our se! " h e c ri ed. " The ve ry t hi ng . W hy d id I n ot t hi nk o f i t m ys el f? "

S o h e s um mo ne d h is s ol di er s a nd r et ai ne rs a nd b ad e t he m p re pa re a g re at b on fi re i n a n o pe n s pa cei n t he c as tl e p ar k. A ls o, he s en t w or d t o a ll h is p eo pl e t o a ss emb le a nd w it ne ss t he d es tr uc ti on o f t he

S ca re cr ow , w ho h ad d ar ed t o d ef y h is p ow er . Be fo re

l on g, a va st t hr on g g at he re d i n t he p ar k a nd t he s er va nt s h ad h ea pe d u p e no ug h f ue l t o m ak e a f ir e t ha t m ig ht

b e s ee n f or m il es a wa y, e ve n i n t he d ay ti me . W he n a ll w as p re pa re d, t he K in g h ad h is t hr on e b ro ug ht o ut f or

h im t o s it u po n a nd e nj oy t he s pe ct ac

l e, a nd t he n h e s en t h is s ol di er s t o f et ch t he S ca rec row .

N ow t he one t hi ng i n al l t he w or ld t hat t he s tr aw m an r eal ly f ea red w as f ir e. H e k new he wo ul d bu rn

ve ry e as il y a nd t ha t h is a sh es w ou ld n' t a mo un t t o m uc h a ft er wa rd . I t w ou ld n' t h ur t h im t o b e d es tr oy ed i n

s uc h a m an ne r, b ut h e r ea li ze d t ha t m an y p eo pl

e i n t he L an d of Oz , an d es pec ial ly D or ot hy an d t he R oy al Oz ma, w ou ld f ee l s ad i f t hey l ea rn ed t hat t hei r o ld

f ri en d t he S ca re cr ow w as n o l on ge r i n e xi st en ce . I n s pi te o f t hi s, t he s tr aw m an w as b ra ve a nd f ac ed h is f ie ry

f at e l ik e a h er o. W he n t hey ma rc

h ed h im o ut b ef or e t he c on co ur se o f p eo pl e, h e t ur ne d t o t he K in g w it h g re at c al mn es s a nd s ai d, " Th is

w ic ke d d ee d w il l c os t y ou y ou r t hr on e a s w el l a s m uc h s uf fe ri ng , f or m y f ri en ds w il l a ve ng e m y d es tr uc ti on ."

" Your f ri en ds ar e no t he re, nor w il l t hey k now w ha t I h ave d one t o y ou w hen yo u ar e gon e and c annot

P a g e 5 1



t el l t he m, " a ns we re d t he K in g i n a s co rn fu l vo ic e. T he n h e o rd er ed t he S ca re cr ow b ou nd t o a s to ut s ta ke t ha t

h e h ad ha d d ri ve n i nt o t he g ro un d, a nd t he m

a te ri al s f or t he f ir e w er e h ea pe d a ll a ro un d h im . W he n t hi s h ad b ee n d on e, t he K in g' s b ra ss b an d s tr uc k u p a

l ive ly t un e, a nd o ld G oo gl y- Go o c am e f or wa rd w it h a l ig ht ed m at ch a nd s et f ir e t o t he p il e. A t o nc e t he f la me s

s ho t u p a nd c re pt c lo ser an d c lo s

e r t ow ar d t he S ca re cr ow . T he K in g a nd a ll t he p eo pl e w er e s o i nt en t u po n t hi s t er ri bl e s pe ct ac le t ha t n on e o f

t he n n ot ic ed h ow t he s ky g re w s ud de nl y d ar k. P er ha ps t he y t ho ug ht t ha t t he l ou d b uz zi ng s ou nd -- li ke t he

n oi se o f a d oz en m ovi ng r ai lw ay t r ai ns -- ca me f ro m t he b la zi ng f ag go ts , t ha t t he r us h o f w in d w as m er el y a b re ez e. B ut s ud de nl y, d ow n s we pt a

f lo ck o f O rk s, h al f a h un dr ed o f t he m a t t he l ea st , a nd t he p ow er fu l c ur re nt s o f a ir c au se d b y t he ir r evo lvi ng

t ai l s s en t t he b on fi r e s c at t er i ng i n e ve r

y d ir ec ti on , s o t ha t n ot o ne b ur ni ng s tr an d e ve r t ou ch ed t he S ca re cr ow .

B ut t hat w as n ot t he onl y e ff ec t of t hi s s ud de n t or nad o. K in g K rew l w as b low n ou t of hi s t hr on e a nd

w en t t um bl in g h ee ls o ve r h ea d u nt il h e l an de d w it h a b um p a ga in st t he s to ne w al l o f h is o wn c as tl e, a nd

be fo re he c oul d r is e, a bi g Or k s at u po n h im and

he ld hi m p res se d t o t he gr ou nd . Ol d G oo gl y- Go o s ho t up i nt o t he ai r l ik e a r oc ke t and l and ed o n a t ree ,

w her e he h un g by t he mi dd le on a h igh l imb , k ic ki ng t he a ir w it h hi s f ee t a nd c law ing t he a ir w it h hi s h an ds

a nd h ow li ng f or m er cy l ik e t he c ow ar d h e

was.

T he p eo pl e p re ss ed b ac k u nt i l t he y w er e j am me d c lo se t og et he r, w hi le a ll t he s ol di er s w er e k no ck ed

ove r a nd s en t s pr aw li ng t o t he e ar th . T he e xc it em en t w as g re at f or a f ew m in ut es , a nd e ver y f ri ght en ed

i nh ab it an t o f J in xl an d l oo ke d w it h a we a nd a ma ze me nt

a t t he g re at O rk s w ho se d es ce nt h ad s er ve d t o r es cu e t he S ca re cr ow a nd c on qu er K in g K re wl a t o ne a nd

t he s am e t im e. T he Or k, w ho w as t he l ead er of t he b and, s oon ha d t he S car ec row f ree of hi s bo nds . Th en

he s aid, " Wel l, w e w er e jus t in t ime t o save you

, w hi ch i s b et ter t ha n bei ng a mi nut e t oo l at e. Y ou ar e no w t he ma st er he re , an d w e a re d et er mi ned t o s ee

y o ur o r de r s o be y ed . "

W it h t hi s, t he O rk p ic ke d u p K re wl 's g ol de n c ro wn , w hi ch h ad f al le n o ff h is h ea d, a nd p la ce d i t u po n

t he h ead of t he S ca rec row , w ho i n hi s awk war d wa y t hen s hu ff led over t o t he t hr one a nd s at d ow n i n i t.

S ee in g t hi s, a r ou si ng c he er b ro ke f ro m t he c ro wd

o f p eo pl e, w ho t os se d t he ir h at s a nd w ave d t he ir h an dk er ch ie fs a nd h ai le d t he S ca re cr ow a s t he ir K in g. T he

s ol di er s j oi ne d t he p eo pl e i n t he c he er in g, f or n ow t he y f ul ly r ea li ze d t ha t t he ir h at ed m as te r w as c on qu er ed

and i t would be wise to show their goo d w il l t o t he c on qu er or . S om e o f t he m b ou nd K re wl w it h r op es a nd d ra gg ed h im f or wa rd , d um pi ng h is b od y

o n t he g ro un d b ef or e t he S ca re cr ow 's t hr on e. G oo gl y- Go o s tr ug gl ed u nt il h e f in al ly s li d o ff t he l im b o f t he t re e

a nd c am e t um bl in g t o t he g ro un d. H e

t he n t ri ed t o s ne ak a wa y a nd e sc ap e, b ut t he s ol di er s s ei ze d a nd b ou nd h im b es id e K re wl .

" Th e t ab le s a re t ur ne d, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow , s we ll in g o ut h is c he st u nt il t he s tr aw w it hi n i t c ra ck le d

p lea sa nt ly , f or h e w as h ig hl y p le as ed. " Bu t i t w as y ou a nd y ou r pe op le w ho di d i t, f ri en d Or k, a nd f ro m t hi s

t im e y ou m ay c ou nt m e y ou r h um bl e s er va nt

."

P a g e 5 2



CHAPTER 19

T HE C ON QU ES T O F T HE W IT CH

N ow as s oo n a s t he c on qu es t of K ing K re wl h ad t ak en pl ac e, o ne of t he O rk s ha d b ee n d is pat ch ed

t o P on 's h ou se w it h t he j oy fu l n ew s. A t o nc e, G lo ri a a nd P on a nd T ro t a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht h as te ne d t ow ar d t he

c as t le . Th ey w er e s om ew ha t s ur p ri s ed b y t he s i gh t

t ha t m et t he ir e ye s, f or t he re w as t he S ca re cr ow c ro wn ed K in g a nd a ll t he p eo pl e k ne el in g h um bl y b ef or e

h im. S o t hey l ik ew is e bo we d l ow t o t he n ew r ul er a nd t he n s to od be si de t he t hr one . C ap 'n B il l, as t he g ra yg r as s ho p pe r , w a s s t il l p er c he d u po n T r ot '

s s ho ul de r, b ut n ow h e h op pe d t o t he s ho ul de r o f t he S ca re cr ow a nd w hi sp er ed i nt o t he p ai nt ed e ar , " I

t ho ug ht G lo ri a w as t o b e Q ue en o f J in xl an d. "

Th e S car ec ro w s hoo k h is he ad . " Not y et ," h e an sw er ed . " No Q uee n w it h a f ro zen h ea rt i s f it t o r ul e

a ny c ou nt ry ." T he n h e t ur ne d t o h is n ew f ri en d, t he O rk , w ho w as s tr ut ti ng a bo ut , ve ry p ro ud of w ha t he h ad

do ne , an d s ai d, " Do y ou s upp os e y ou or y ou r

f ol l ow er s c ou ld f i nd o ld B li nk i e t he W it c h? "

" Wh er e i s s he ?" a sk ed t he Or k.

" S om ew h er e i n J i nx l an d, I ' m s u re . "

" Th en ," s ai d t he O rk , " we s ha ll c er ta in ly b e a bl e t o f in d h er ."

" It w il l g ive m e g re at p le as ur e, " d ec la re d t he S ca re cr ow . " Wh en y ou h ave f ou nd he r, b ri ng h er h er e t o

me , an d I w il l t he n de ci de w ha t t o do w it h he r. "

Th e Or k c al led hi s f ol low er s t og et her an d s po ke a f ew w or ds t o t hem i n a l ow t on e. A m ome nt l at er

t he y r os e i nt o t he ai r, s o s udd enl y t ha t t he S ca rec ro w, w ho w as ve ry l igh t i n w ei ght , w as b low n qu it e o ut of

hi s t hr one and i nt o t he ar ms o f P on , w ho r ep la

c ed h im c ar ef ul ly u po n h is s ea t. Th er e w as a n e dd y o f d us t a nd a sh es , t oo , a nd t he g ra ss ho pp er o nl y s aved

h im se lf f ro m b ei ng w hi rl ed i nt o t he c ro wd o f p eo pl e b y j um pi ng i nt o a t re e, f ro m w he re a s er ie s o f h op s s oo n

b ro ug ht h im b ac k t o T ro t' s s ho ul de r a ga

i n. Th e Or ks w er e qu it e o ut o f s igh t by t hi s t im e, s o t he S car ec row m ad e a s pe ec h t o t he pe op le a nd

pr es en ted G lor ia t o t hem, w hom t hey k new w ell al re ady a nd w er e f ond of . Bu t no t al l of t hem k new of her

f ro ze n h ea rt , a nd w he n t he S ca re cr ow r el at ed t he

s to ry o f t he W ic ke d W it ch 's m is de ed s, w hi ch h ad b ee n e nc ou ra ge d a nd p ai d f or b y K re wl a nd G oo gl y- Go o,

t h e p eo pl e w er e ve r y i n di g na nt .

M ea nt im e, t he f if ty O rk s h ad s ca tt er ed a ll o ve r J in xl an d, w hi ch i s n ot a ve ry b ig c ou nt ry , a nd t he ir

s ha rp e ye s w er e p ee ri ng i nt o e ve ry va ll ey a nd g ro ve a nd g ul ly . F in al ly , o ne o f t he m s pi ed a p ai r o f h ee lss t ic ki ng o ut f r om u nd er ne at h s om e b us he s, a nd

w it h a s hr il l w hi st le t o w ar n h is c om ra de s t ha t t he w it ch w as f ou nd , t he O rk f le w d ow n a nd d ra gg ed o ld B li nk ie

f ro m h er h id in g p la ce . T he n t wo o r t hr ee o f t he O rk s s ei ze d t he c lo th in g o f t he w ic ke d w om an i n t he ir s tr on g

c la ws a nd , l if ti ng h er h ig h i n t he

a ir , w he re s he s tr ug gl ed a nd s cr ea me d t o n o a va il , t he y f le w w it h h er s tr ai gh t t o t he r oy al c as tl e a nd s et h er

d ow n b ef or e t he t hr on e o f t he S ca re cr ow .

" Go od !" e xc la im ed t he s t ra w m an , n od di ng h is s tu ff ed h ea d w it h s at is f ac ti on . " No w w e c an p ro ce ed

t o b us in es s. Mi st re ss W it ch , I a m o bl ige d t o r eq ue st , g en tl y b ut f ir ml y, t ha t y ou u nd o al l t he w ro ngs y ou

h ave d on e b y m ea ns o f y ou r w i tc hc ra ft . "

" Pa h! " c ri ed ol d B li nk ie i n a s co rnf ul vo ic e. " I d ef y y ou a ll ! B y m y m ag ic p ow er s I c an t ur n y ou a ll

i nt o p ig s, r oo ti ng i n t he m ud, a nd I 'l l do i t i f y ou ar e no t c ar ef ul ."

" I t hi nk y ou a re m is ta ke n a bo ut t ha t, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow , a nd r is in g f ro m h is t hr on e, h e w al ke d w it hw ob bl in g s te ps t o t he s id e o f t he W ic ke d W it ch . " Be for e I l ef t t he La nd o f Oz , Gl in da t he R oy al S or ce res s

gave me a box whi ch I w as not to open ex cept

i n an em er ge nc y. B ut I f ee l pr et ty s ur e t ha t t hi s oc ca si on i s a n e mer gen cy , d on' t y ou , T ro t?" he as ke d,

t ur ni ng t ow ar d t he l i tt l e g ir l.

" W hy , w e' ve g ot t o d o S OM ET HI NG ," r ep li ed T ro t s er io us ly . " Th in gs s ee m i n a n a wf ul m ud dl e h er e

jus' now, and they'll be worse if we don't stop this witch from doing more harm to people."

" Th at i s m y i de a e xac tl y, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow , an d t ak in g a s ma ll b ox f rom h is p oc ke t, he o pe ne d

t he c ove r a nd t os se d t he c on te nt s t ow ar d B li nk ie . T he o ld w om an s hr an k b ac k, p al e a nd t re mb li ng , a s a f in e,

w hi te d us t s et tl ed a ll a bo ut h er . U nd er i ts i nf

l ue nc e s he s ee me d t o t he e ye s o f a ll o bs er ve rs t o s hr ive l a nd g ro w s ma ll er .

" Oh d ea r, o h d ea r! " s he w ai le d, w ri ng in g h er h an ds i n f ea r. " Ha ve n' t y ou t he a nt i do te , S ca re cr ow ?

D id n' t t he g re at S or c er es s g ive y ou a no th er b ox ?"

" Sh e d id ," a ns we re d t he S ca re cr ow .

"Then give i t m e, q ui ck !" p lea de d t he w it ch . " Gi ve i t m e, an d I 'l l do an yt hi ng y ou a sk m e t o! "

" Yo u w il l d o w ha t I a sk f ir st ," d ec la re d t he S ca re cr ow f ir ml y.

P a g e 5 3



"B e qui ck , then! " s he c ri ed. "Tel l me what I must do and l et me do i t, or it wi ll be t oo lat e. "

" Yo u m ad e T ro t' s f ri en d, C ap 'n B il l, a g ra ss ho pp er . I c om ma nd y ou t o g ive h im b ac k h is p ro pe r f or m

a ga in ," s ai d t he S ca re cr ow .

" Wh er e i s h e? W he r e' s t he g ra ss ho pp er ? Q ui c k, q ui ck ! " s he s c re am ed .

C ap 'n B il l, w ho h ad b ee n d ee pl y i nt er es te d i n t hi s c on ve rs at io n, g ave a g re at l ea p f ro m T ro t' s s ho ul de r

a nd l and ed o n t hat o f t he S car ec row . B li nk ie s aw hi m al igh t an d at o nc e b eg an t o ma ke m ag ic pa ss es an d t o

m um bl e m ag ic i nc an ta ti on s. S he w as i n a d es

p er at e h ur ry , k no wi ng t ha t s he h ad n o t im e t o w as te , a nd t he g ra ss ho pp er w as s o s ud de nl y t ra ns fo rm ed i nt ot he o ld s ai lo r m an , C ap 'n B il l, t ha t h e h ad n o o pp or tu ni ty t o j um p o ff t he S ca re cr ow 's s ho ul de r, s o h is g re at

w ei gh t b or e t he s tu ff ed S ca re cr ow t o t h

e g ro un d. N o h ar m w as do ne , h ow eve r, a nd t he s tr aw m an g ot u p a nd b ru sh ed t he d us t f ro m h is c lo th es

w h il e T r ot d el i gh t ed l y e mb r ac e d C a p' n B i ll .

" Th e o th er b ox ! Q ui ck ! G ive m e t he o th er b ox ," b eg ge d B li nk ie , w ho h ad n ow s hr un k t o h al f h er

f o rm e r s i ze .

" No t y et ," s ai d t he S ca re cr ow . " Yo u m us t f ir st m el t P ri nc es s G lo ri a' s f ro ze n h ea rt ."

" I c an 't . I t' s an aw fu l j ob t o d o t ha t! I c an' t, " a ss er te d t he w it ch i n a n a go ny o f f ea r, f or s ti ll s he w as

growing smaller.

" Yo u m us t! " d ec la re d t he S ca re cr ow f i rm ly .

Th e w it ch c as t a s hr ew d l oo k a t h im an d s aw t hat he m ea nt i t, s o s he be ga n d an ci ng ar oun d Gl or ia

i n a f ra nt ic m an ne r. T he P ri nc es s l oo ke d c ol dl y o n a s i f n ot a t a ll i nt er es te d i n t he p ro ce ed in gs , w hi le B li nk ie

t or e a h an df ul o f h ai r f ro m h er o wn he ad a n

d r ip ped a s tr ip o f c lot h f rom t he b ot to m of her go wn. T hen t he w it ch s ank up on he r k nee s, t ook a p ur pl e

pow de r f ro m her bl ac k bag and s pr ink led i t o ve r t he h ai r a nd c lo th. " I h at e t o do i t, I ha te t o d o i t! " s he w ai led .

"For ther e is no more of t his ma

gic c ompound in all t he w or ld. But I must s acr if ic e it t o s ave my ow n li fe. A mat ch! Gi ve me a mat ch,

q ui ck !" A nd p an ti ng f ro m l ac k o f b re at h, s he g az ed i mp lo ri ng ly f ro m o ne t o a no th er .

C ap 'n B il l w as t he o nl y o ne w ho h ad a m at ch , bu t h e l os t n o t im e i n h an di ng i t t o B li nk ie , w ho q ui ck ly

s et f ir e t o t he h ai r a nd t he c lo th a nd t he p ur pl e p ow de r. A t o nc e a p ur pl e c lo ud e nve lo pe d G lo ri a, a nd t hi s

g ra du al ly t ur ne d t o a r os y p in k c ol or , b ri

l li an t a nd q ui te t r an sp ar en t. T hr ou gh t he r os y c lo ud t he y c ou ld a ll s ee t he b ea ut if ul P ri nc es s , s ta nd in g p ro ud

a nd e re ct . T he n h er h ea rt b ec am e vi si bl e, a t f ir st f ro st ed w it h i ce , b ut s lo wl y g ro wi ng b ri gh te r a nd w ar me r

u nt il a ll t he f ro st h ad d is ap pe ar e

d a nd i t w as b ea ti ng a s s of tl y a nd r eg ul ar ly a s a ny o th er h ea rt . A nd n ow t he c lo ud d is pe rs ed a nd d is cl os edG lo ri a, h er f ac e s uf fu se d w it h j oy , s mi li ng t en de rl y u po n t he f ri en ds w ho w er e g ro up ed a bo ut h er . P oo r P on

s t ep pe d f o rw ar d t i mi d ly , f e ar i ng a r e pu

l se , b ut w it h p le ad in g e ye s a nd a rm s f on dl y o ut st re tc he d t ow ar d h is f or me r s we et he ar t, a nd t he P ri nc es s s aw

h im a nd h er s we et f ac e l ig ht ed w it h a r ad ia nt s mi le . W it ho ut a n i ns ta nt 's h es it at io n, s he t hr ew h er se lf i nt o

P on 's a rm s, and t hi s r eun ion o f t wo l

ovi ng h ea rt s w as s o a ff ec ti ng t ha t t he p eo pl e t ur ne d a wa y a nd l ow er ed t he ir e ye s t o a s n ot t o m ar t he s ac re d

joy of the faithful lovers.

B u t B l i nk i e' s s m a l l vo ic e w as s ho ut in g t o t he S ca re cr ow f or h el p. " Th e a nt i do te !" s he s c re am ed .

" Gi ve m e t he o th er b ox , q ui ck !"

T he S ca re cr ow l oo ked a t t he w it ch w it h hi s q ua int , pa int ed e yes an d s aw t hat s he w as n ow no t al le r

t ha n h is k ne e. S o h e t oo k f rom h is p oc ke t t he s ec on d b ox a nd s ca tt er ed i ts c on te nt s o n B li nk ie . S he

c ea se d t o g ro w a ny s ma ll er , b ut s he c ou ld n ever r ega in h er f or me r s iz e a ga in , a nd t hi s t he w ic ke d o ld w om an w el l k ne w. S he d id n ot k no w, h ow eve r, t ha t t he

s ec on d p ow de r h ad d es t ro ye d a ll h er p ow er t o w or k m ag ic , a nd s ee ki ng t o b e r eve ng ed u po n t he S ca re cr ow

an d hi s f ri end s s he a t o nc e b ega n t o mum bl e a c ha

r m s o t er ri bl e i n i ts e ff ec t t ha t i t w ou ld h ave d es tr oy ed h al f t he p op ul at io n o f J in xl an d- -h ad i t w or ke d. B ut i t d id

n ot w or k a t a ll , t o t he a ma ze me nt o f ol d B li nk ie . A nd by t hi s t ime t he S ca re cr ow n ot ic ed w hat t he l it tl e w it ch

w as t ry in g t o do an d s ai d

t o h er , " Go h om e, B li nk ie , a nd b eh ave y ou rs el f. Y ou a re n o l on ge r a w it ch , b ut a n o rd in ar y o ld w om an , a nd

s in ce y ou ar e po wer les s t o do m or e e vi l I a dvi se y ou t o t ry t o do s om e g ood i n t he w or ld. B el ieve m e , i t i s

mo re f un t o ac com pl is h a g oo d ac t t ha n a

n e vi l o ne , a s y ou w il l d is co ve r w he n o nc e y ou h ave t r i ed i t . "

B ut B li nk ie w as a t t ha t m om en t f il le d w it h g ri ef a nd c ha gr in a t l os in g h er m ag ic p ow er s. S he s ta rt ed

aw ay t ow ar d h er hom e, s obbi ng an d bew ai lin g her f at e, and n ot one w ho sa w he r go w as at a ll s or ry f or he r.

P a g e 5 4



CHAPTER 20

QUEEN GLORIA

N ex t m or ni ng , t he S ca re cr ow c al le d u po n a ll t he c ou rt ie rs a nd t he p eo pl e t o a ss em bl e i n t he t hr on e

r oo m o f t he c as tl e, w he re t he re w as r oo m e no ug h f or a ll t ha t w er e a bl e t o a tt en d. T he y f ou nd t he s tr aw m an

s ea te d u po n t he ve lve t c us hi on s o f t he t hr on e,

w it h t he K ing 's gl it te ri ng c ro wn s ti ll up on h is s tu ff ed h ead . On o ne s ide o f t he t hr one , i n a l ow er c ha ir , s at

G lo ri a, l oo ki ng r ad ia nt l y b ea ut if ul a nd f r es h a s a n ew - bl ow n r os e. O n t he o th er s id e s at P on , t he g ar de ne r' sb oy , s ti ll d re ss ed i n h is o ld s mo

c k f ro ck a nd l oo ki ng s ad a nd s ol em n, f or P on c ou ld n ot m ak e h im se lf b el ie ve t ha t s o s pl en di d a P ri nc es s

w ou ld c on de sc en d t o l ove h im w he n s he h ad c om e t o h er o wn a nd w as s ea te d u po n a t hr on e. Tr ot a nd C ap 'n

B il l s at at t he f eet o f t he S car ec ro w a nd w er e

m uc h i nt er e st ed i n t he p ro ce ed in gs . B ut t on - Br i gh t h ad l os t h im se lf b ef or e b re ak f as t , b ut c am e i nt o t he t hr on e

r oo m b ef or e t he c er em oni es w er e o ve r. B ac k o f t he t hr on e s to od a r ow o f t he g re at O rk s, w it h t he ir l ea de r i n

t he c en te r, a nd t he e nt ra nc e t o t h

e p al ac e w as g ua rd ed b y m or e Or ks , w ho w er e r eg ar de d w it h w on de r a nd a we .

W he n a ll w er e a ss em bl ed , t he S ca re cr ow s to od u p a nd m ad e a s pe ec h. H e t ol d h ow G lo ri a' s f at he r,

t he g oo d K in g K yn d, w ho h ad o nc e r ul ed o ve r t he m a nd b ee n l ove d b y e ve ry on e, h ad b ee n d es tr oy ed b y K in g

P he ar ce , t he f at he r o f P on , a nd h ow K in g P he ar se h ad

be en d es tr oy ed b y K in g K re wl . Th is l as t Ki ng h ad b ee n a ba d r ul er , as t he y k ne w ver y w el l, an d t he

S ca re cr ow d ec la re d t ha t t he o nl y o ne i n a ll J in xl an d w ho h ad t he r ig ht t o s it u po n t he t hr on e w as P ri nc es s

G lo ri a, t he d au gh te r o f K in g K yn d. " Bu t, " h e a d

d ed , " it i s n ot f or m e, a s tr an ge r, t o s ay w ho s ha ll r ul e y ou . Y ou m us t de ci de f or y ou rs el ve s, o r y ou w il l n ot

b e c on te nt . S o c ho os e n ow w ho s ha ll b e y ou r f ut ur e r ul er ."

And they all shouted, "The Scarecrow! The Scarecrow shall rule us!" Which proved that the stuffed

m an h ad m ad e h im se lf ve ry p op ul ar b y h is c on qu es t o f K in g K re wl , a nd t he p eo pl e t ho ug ht t he y w ou ld l ik e

h im f or t he ir K ing . B ut t he S car ec row s ho ok hi s he

a d s o vi go ro us ly t hat i t b ec ame l oo se, a nd T ro t h ad t o pi n i t f ir ml y t o h is b od y a ga in .

" No, " s ai d he, " I be lon g i n t he Lan d of Oz , w her e I a m t he hu mbl e s er van t o f t he l ovel y gi rl w ho r ul es

u s al l, t he r oy al O zm a. Y ou m us t c ho os e o ne of y ou r o wn i nha bi ta nt s t o r ul e o ve r J inx la nd . W ho s ha ll i t

be?"

T he y h es it at ed f or a m om en t, a nd s om e f ew c ri ed " Po n! " b ut m an y m or e s ho ut ed " Gl or ia !"

S o t he S ca re cr ow t oo k G lo ri a' s h an d a nd l ed h er t o t he t hr on e, w he re h e f ir st s ea te d h er a nd t he nt oo k t he g li tt er in g c ro wn o ff h is o wn h ea d a nd p la ce d i t u po n t ha t o f t he y ou ng l ad y, w he re i t n es tl ed p re tt il y

a mo ng st h er s of t c ur ls . T he p eo pl e c he er ed

a nd s ho ut ed t he n, k ne el in g b ef or e t he ir n ew Q ue en , b ut G lo ri a l ea ne d d ow n a nd t oo k P on 's h an d i n b ot h h er

o wn an d r ai sed h im t o t he s eat b es id e he r. " Yo u s hal l h ave bot h a Ki ng an d a Quee n t o c ar e f or y ou a nd t o

p ro te ct y ou , m y d ea r s ub je ct s, " s he s ai d i

n a s we et vo ic e, w hi le h er f ac e g lo we d w it h h ap pi ne ss , " fo r P on w as a K in g' s s on b ef or e h e b ec am e a

g ar de ne r' s b oy , a nd b ec au se I l ove h im h e i s t o b e m y R oy al C on so rt ."

T ha t p le as ed t he m a ll , e sp ec ia ll y P on , w ho r ea li ze d t ha t t hi s w as t he m os t i mp or ta nt m om en t o f h is

l if e. T ro t a nd B ut t on -B ri gh t a nd C ap 'n B il l a ll c on gr at ul at ed h im o n w in ni ng t he b ea ut if ul G lo ri a, b ut t he O rk

s ne ez ed t wi ce a nd s ai d t ha t i n h is o pi ni on

t he y ou ng l ad y m ig ht h ave d on e b et te r. T he n t he S ca re cr ow o rd er ed t he g ua rd s t o b ri ng i n t he w ic ke d K re wl ,

K in g n o l on ge r, a nd w he n h e a pp ea re d l oa de d w it h c ha in s a nd d re ss ed i n f us ti an , t he p eo pl e h is se d h im a ndd re w b ac k a s h e p as se d s o t he ir g ar me nt s

w ou ld n ot t ou ch h im .

K re wl w as n ot h au gh ty o r o ve rb ea ri ng a ny m or e; o n t he c on tr ar y, h e s ee me d ve ry m ee k a nd i n g re at

f ea r o f t he f at e h is c on qu er or s h ad i n s to re f or h im . B ut G lo ri a a nd P on w er e t oo h ap py t o b e r even ge fu l, a nd

s o t he y o ff er ed t o a pp oi nt K re wl t o t he p os it i

o n o f g ar de ne r' s b oy a t t he c as tl e, P on h avi ng r es ig ne d t o b ec om e K in g. B ut t he y s ai d h e m us t p ro mi se t o

r ef or m hi s w ic ke d w ay s an d t o d o h is du ty f ai thf ul ly , a nd h e mu st c ha ng e hi s n am e f ro m K re wl t o G re wl . A ll

t hi s t he m an e ag er ly p ro mi se d t o d o, a nd

s o w hen P on r et ir ed t o a r oom i n t he c as tl e t o pu t on p ri nc el y r ai nm en t, t he ol d br ow n s moc k h e ha d f or mer ly

w or n w as g ive n t o G re wl , w ho t he n w en t o ut i nt o t he g ar de n t o w at er t he r os es .

T he r em ai nd er o f t ha t f am ou s d ay , w hi ch w as l on g r em em be re d i n J in xl an d, w as g ive n o ve r t o

f ea st in g a nd m er ry ma ki ng . I n t he e ve ni ng t he re w as a g ra nd d an ce i n t he c ou rt ya rd , w he re t he b ra ss b an d

p lay ed a n ew pi ec e of m us ic c al led t he " Or k T rot ," w hi ch w

a s d ed ic at ed t o " Ou r G lo ri ou s G lo ri a, t he Q ue en ." W hi le t he Q ue en a nd P on w er e l ea di ng t hi s d an ce a nd a ll

t he J inx lan d p eo pl e w er e h avi ng a g oo d t im e, t he s tr an ge rs w er e g at he re d i n a g ro up i n t he p ar k o ut si de t he

P a g e 5 5



c as t le . C ap 'n B i ll , T ro t, B ut t on - Br i gh t

a nd t he S ca re cr ow w er e t her e, an d s o w as t hei r o ld f ri end t he Or k; b ut of al l t he g re at f lo ck o f O rk s w hi ch

h ad a ss is t ed i n t he c on qu es t b ut t hr ee r em ai ne d i n J in xl an d, b es i de s t he ir l ea de r, t he o th er s h avi ng r et ur ne d

t o t hei r o wn c oun tr y a s s oon a s Gl or

i a w as c ro wn ed Q ue en . T o t he y ou ng O rk w ho h ad a cc om pa ni ed t he m i n t he ir a dve nt ur es , C ap 'n B il l s ai d,

" Yo u' ve s ur el y b ee n a f ri en d i n n ee d, a nd w e' re m ig ht y g ra te fu l t o y ou f or h el pi ng u s. I m ig ht h ave b ee n a

g ra ss ho pp er y et i f i t h ad n' t b ee n f or y ou , a

n ' I m ig ht r em ar k t ha t b ei n' a g ra ss ho pp er i sn 't m uc h f un ."" If i t h ad n' t b ee n f or y ou , f ri en d O rk ," s ai d t he S ca re cr ow , " I f ea r I c ou ld n ot h ave c on qu er ed K in g

Krewl."

" No ," a gr ee d T ro t, " yo u' d h ave b ee n j us t a h ea p o f a sh es b y t hi s t im e. "

" An d I m ig ht h ave b ee n l os t y et ," a dd ed B ut to n- Br ig ht . " Mu ch o bl ig ed , M r. O rk ."

" Oh , t ha t' s a ll r ig ht ," r ep li ed t he O rk . " Fr ie nd s m us t s ta nd t og et he r, y ou k no w, o r t he y w ou ld n' t b e

f ri en ds . B ut no w I m us t l eave y ou a nd be of f t o my o wn c ount ry , w her e t her e' s g oi ng t o be a s ur pr is e pa rt y on

m y u nc le , a nd I 've p ro mi se d t o a tt en d i t.

"

" D ea r m e, " s ai d t h e S c ar e cr o w r eg r et f ul ly , " t ha t i s ve ry u nf or tu na te ."

"Why so?" asked the Ork.

" I h op ed y ou w ou ld c ons en t t o c ar ry us ove r t ho se m oun ta in s i nt o t he L and o f O z. My m is si on h er e

i s n ow f ini sh ed, an d I w ant t o g et b ac k t o t he E me ra ld C it y. "

" Ho w d id y ou c om e a cr os s t he m ou nt ai ns b ef or e? " i nq ui r ed t he O rk .

" I s cal ed t he c li ff s by mea ns of a r op e and c ros sed t he Gr ea t G ul f on a s tr an d o f s pi der w eb . Of

c ou rs e, I c an r et ur n i n t he s am e m an ne r, b ut i t w ou ld b e a h ar d j ou rn ey -- an d p er ha ps a n i mp os si bl e o ne f or

T ro t a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht a nd C ap 'n B il l. S o I t ho u

gh t t hat i f y ou ha d t he t im e y ou a nd y our p eo pl e w oul d c ar ry us o ve r t he m ou nt ai ns a nd l and us al l s af el y o n

t he o the r s ide , i n t he L an d o f Oz ."

T he O rk t ho ug ht fu ll y c on si de re d t he m at te r f or a w hi le . T he n h e s ai d, " I m us n' t b re ak m y p ro mi se t o

b e p re se nt a t t he s ur pr is e p ar ty , bu t t el l me , c ou ld y ou g o t o Oz t on ig ht ?"

" Wh at , n ow ?" e xc la im ed T r ot .

" It i s a f ine mo onl ig ht ni ght ," s ai d t he Or k, " an d I 've f oun d i n my e xpe ri en ce t hat t he re 's n o t im e s o

g oo d as r igh t aw ay . T he f ac t i s, " h e ex pl ai ned , " it 's a l on g j ou rne y t o Or kl an d, a nd I a nd m y c ou si ns he re ar e

a ll r at her t ir ed by o ur d ay 's w or k. B u

t i f y ou w il l s ta rt n ow a nd b e c on te nt t o a ll ow u s t o c ar ry y ou o ver t he m oun tai ns and dump y ou on t he o ther s id e, j us t s ay t he w or d an d of f w e go !"

C ap 'n B il l a nd T ro t l oo ke d a t o ne a no th er q ue st io ni ng ly . T he l it tl e g ir l w as e ag er t o vi si t t he f am ou s

f ai ry la nd o f O z, a nd t he o ld s ai lo r h ad e nd ur ed s uc h h ar ds hi ps i n J in xl an d t ha t h e w ou ld b e g la d t o b e o ut o f

it.

" It 's r at he r i mp ol it e o f u s n ot t o s ay g oo db ye t o t he n ew K in g a nd Q ue en ," r em ar ke d t he S ca re cr ow ,

"but I 'm s ure t hey' re too happy to mi ss us , and I ass ur e you it w ill be muc h eas ier to fl y on t he bac ks of t he

O rk s o ve r t ho se s te ep m ou nt ai ns t ha n t o c li m

b them as I did."

" Al l r i gh t, l et ' s g o! " Tr o t d ec id ed . "B ut w he re 's B ut t on -B r ig ht ?" J us t a t t hi s i mp or t an t m om en t

B ut to n- Br ig ht w as l os t a ga in , a nd t he y a ll s ca tt er ed i n s ea rc h o f h im . H e h ad b ee n s ta nd in g b es id e t he m j us t

a f ew m in ut es be for e, but hi s f rie nds had an e

x ci ti ng h un t f or h im b ef or e t he y f in al ly d is co ve re d t he b oy s ea te d a mo ng t he m em be rs o f t he b an d, b ea ti ngt he e nd of t he bas s dr um w it h t he bo ne of a t ur key l eg t hat he h ad t ak en f rom t he t abl e i n t he ban qu et r oom.

" Hel lo , T ro t, " h e s ai d, l ook in g u p a t t he l it tl e g ir l w hen s he f ou nd h im . " Thi s i s t he f ir st c ha nc e I e ver

ha d t o p ou nd a dr um w it h a r eg' la r dr um st ic k. A nd I a te a ll t he m ea t of f t he b on e m ys el f. "

" Co me qu ic k. W e' re go in g t o t he La nd of O z. "

" Oh , w ha t' s t he h ur ry ?" s ai d B ut to n- Br ig ht . Bu t s he s ei ze d h is a rm a nd d ra gg ed h im a wa y t o t he

p ar k , w he re t he o th er s w er e w ai ti ng .

Tr ot c li mbe d upo n t he b ac k of he r ol d f ri en d, t he O rk l ea der , an d t he ot her s t oo k t hei r s eat s o n t he

b ac ks o f h is t hr ee c ou si ns . A s s oo n a s a ll w er e pl ac ed an d c li ng ing t o t he s ki nn y n ec ks o f t he c re at ur es , t he

r evo lvi ng t ai ls b eg an t o w hi r l a nd u p r os e

t he f ou r m on st er O rk s a nd s ai le d a wa y t ow ar d t he m ou nt ai ns . T he y w er e s o h ig h i n t he a ir t ha t w he n t he y

p as se d t he c re st o f t he h ig he st p ea k i t s ee me d f ar b el ow t he m. N o s oo ne r w er e t he y w el l a cr os s t he b ar ri er

t ha n t he O rk s s wo op ed d ow nw ar d a nd l an de d

t h ei r p as s en ge r s u po n t h e g r ou nd .

" He re w e a re , s af e i n t he L an d o f O z! " c ri ed t he S ca re cr ow j oy fu ll y.

" Oh , a re w e? " a sk ed T ro t, l oo ki ng a ro un d h er c ur io us ly . S he c ou ld s ee t he s ha do ws o f s ta te ly t re es

P a g e 5 6



a nd t he o ut li ne s o f r ol li ng h il ls ; b en ea th h er f ee t w as s of t t ur f, b ut o th er wi se t he s ub du ed l ig ht o f t he m oo n

d i s cl o s ed n o th i ng c l e ar l y .

" Se em s j us ' l ik e a ny o th er c ou nt ry ," w as C ap 'n B il l' s c om me nt .

" Bu t i t i sn 't ," t he S ca re cr ow a ss ur ed h im . " Yo u a re n ow w it hi n t he b or de rs o f t he m os t g lo ri ou s

f ai ry la nd i n a ll t he w or ld . T hi s p ar t o f i t i s j us t a c or ne r o f t he Q ua dl in g C ou nt ry , a nd t he l ea st i nt er es ti ng

p or t io n o f i t . I t 's n ot ve r y t h ic k l y s e tt l e

d a ro un d h er e, I 'l l a dm it , b ut -- "

H e w as i nt er ru pt ed by a s ud den w hi r an d a r us h o f a ir as t he f ou r Or ks m oun te d i nt o t he s ky ." Go od n ig ht ! " c al l ed t he s hr i ll vo ic es o f t he s tr an ge c r ea tu re s, a nd a lt ho ug h T ro t s ho ut ed " Go od

n ig ht !" as l ou dl y a s s he c ou ld, t he l it tl e g ir l w as a lm os t r ea dy t o c ry b ec au se t he Or ks h ad n ot w ai ted t o b e

p ro pe rl y t ha nk ed f or a ll t he ir k in dn es s t o h er

an d t o C ap 'n B il l. B ut t he Or ks w er e go ne , an d t han ks f or go od d ee ds d o no t am ou nt t o mu ch ex cep t t o

prove one's politeness.

" Wel l, f ri en ds ," s ai d t he S car ec ro w, " we m us n' t s ta y h er e i n t he m ea do ws al l n ig ht , s o l et u s f in d a

p le as ant p la ce t o s le ep. N ot t ha t i t m at te rs t o me i n t he l ea st , f or I n eve r s lee p, bu t I k now t hat me at pe opl e

l ik e t o s hut t hei r ey es a nd li e s til l du

r i ng t he d ar k h ou rs . "

" I' m p re tt y t ir ed ," a dm it te d T ro t, f ro wn in g a s s he f ol lo we d t he s tr aw m an a lo ng a t in y p at h, " so i f y ou

do n' t f ind a hous e ha ndy , C ap' n B il l a nd I w il l s lee p u nder t he t rees , or eve n o n t hi s s of t gr as s. "

B ut a h ou se w as n ot ve ry f ar o ff , a lt ho ug h w he n t he S ca re cr ow s tu mb le d u po n i t t he re w as n o l ig ht i n

i t w ha te ve r. C ap 'n B il l k no ck ed o n t he d oo r s eve ra l t im es , a nd t he re b ei ng n o r es po ns e t he S ca re cr ow b ol dl y

l if te d t he l at ch a nd w al ke d i n, f ol lo we d b y

t he o th er s. An d n o s oo ne r h ad t he y e nt er ed t ha n a s of t l ig ht f il le d t he r oo m. Tr ot c ou ld n' t t el l w he re i t c am e

f rom, f or no l am p o f a ny s or t wa s vi si bl e, bu t s he d id n ot w as te m uc h t im e o n t hi s pr ob le m, b ec au se d ir ec tl y

in the center of the room stood a

t ab le s et f or t hr ee , w it h l ot s o f g oo d f ood o n i t and s ever al of t he di sh es s mo ki ng h ot .

T he l it tl e g ir l a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht b ot h u tt er ed e xc la ma ti on s o f p le as ur e, b ut t he y l oo ke d i n va in f or a ny

c o ok s to ve o r f ir ep la ce o r f or a ny p er so n w ho m ig ht h ave p re pa r ed f or t he m t hi s d el i ci ou s f ea st . " I t' s f ai r yl an d, "

m ut ter ed t he b oy , t os si ng h is c ap i

n a c or ne r a nd s ea ti ng h im se lf a t t he t abl e. " Th is s up per s mel ls ' mos t as g ood as t ha t t ur key l eg I ha d i n

J i nx l an d. P le as e p as s t he m uf f in s, C ap 'n B il l ."

T ro t t ho ug ht i t w as s tr an ge t ha t n o p eo pl e b ut t he ms el ve s w er e i n t he h ou se , b ut o n t he w al l o pp os it e

t he d oo r w as a g ol d f ra me b ea ri ng i n b ig l et te rs t he w or d " WE LC OM E. " S o s he h ad n o f ur th er h es it at io n i ne at in g o f t he f oo d s o m ys te ri ou sl y p re pa re d f o

r t he m. " Bu t t he re a re o nl y p la ce s f or t hr ee !" s he e xc la im ed .

" Th re e a re q ui te e no ug h, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow . " I n eve r e at , b ec au se I a m s tu ff ed f ul l a lr ea dy , a nd I

l ik e m y ni ce c le an s tr aw be tt er t ha n I d o f oo d. "

Tr ot a nd t he s ai lo r ma n w er e hun gr y a nd m ade a he ar ty meal , f or not s in ce t hey ha d l ef t hom e ha d

t he y t as te d s uc h g oo d f oo d. I t w as s ur pr is in g t ha t B ut to n- Br ig ht c ou ld e at s o s oo n a ft er h is f ea st i n J in xl an d,

b ut t he b oy a lw ay s a te w he ne ve r t he re w as a n

o ppo rt un it y. " If I d on 't ea t no w, " h e s ai d, " th e ne xt t ime I 'm h un gr y I 'l l w is h I ha d. "

" Re al ly , C ap 'n ," r em ar ke d T ro t w he n s he f ou nd a d is h o f i ce c re am a pp ea r b es id e h er p la te , " I b 'l ie ve

t hi s i s f ai r yl an d, s ur e e no ug h. "

" Th er e' s n o d ou bt o f i t, T ro t, " h e a ns we re d g ra ve l y.

" I' ve b ee n h er e b ef or e, " s ai d B ut t on -B r ig ht , " so I k no w. " After supper they discovered three tiny bedrooms adjoining the big living room of the house, and in

e ac h r oo m w as a c om fo rt ab le w hi te b ed w it h d ow ny p il lo ws . Y ou m ay b e s ur e t ha t t he t ir ed m or ta ls w er e n ot

l on g i n b id di ng t he S ca re cr ow g oo d n ig ht a nd c r

e ep in g i nt o t he ir b ed s, w he re t he y s l ep t s ou nd ly u nt i l m or ni ng .

F or t he f ir st t im e s in ce t he y s et e ye s o n t he t er ri bl e w hi rl po ol , T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l w er e f re e f ro m

a nx i et y a nd c ar e. B ut t on - Br i gh t n eve r w or ri ed a bo ut a ny th in g. T he S ca re cr ow , n ot b ei ng a bl e t o s le ep ,

l ook ed o ut of t he w ind ow an d t ri ed t o c ou nt t he s

tars.

P a g e 5 7



CHAPTER 21

D OR OT HY , B ET SY A ND O ZM A

I s up po se m an y o f m y r ea de rs h ave r ea d d es cr i pt io ns o f t he b ea ut if ul a nd m ag ni f ic en t E me ra ld C it y

o f O z, s o I n ee d no t d es cr ib e i t h er e e xc ept t o s ta te t ha t ne ver h as a ny c it y i n an y f ai ry la nd ever equ al led t hi s

o ne i n s ta te ly s pl en do r. I t l ie s al mo st e

x ac tl y i n t he c en te r o f t he L and o f O z, a nd i n t he c en ter o f t he E me ral d C it y r is es t he w al l o f gl is te ni ng

e me ral ds t ha t s ur ro und s t he pa lac e o f Oz ma . T he pa lac e i s a lm os t a c it y i n i ts el f a nd i s i nha bi ted by m anyo f t he R ul er 's e sp ec ia l f ri en ds a nd t ho s

e w ho h ave w on h er c on fi de nc e a nd f avo r.

As for Ozma herself, there are no words in any dictionary I can find that are fitted to describe this

y ou ng g ir l' s b ea ut y o f m in d a nd p er so n. M er el y t o s ee h er i s t o l ove h er f or h er c ha rm in g f ac e a nd m an ne rs ;

t o k now her is to love her for her tender s

y mp at hy , h er g en er ou s n at ur e, h er t ru th a nd h on or . B or n o f a l on g l in e o f F ai ry Q ue en s, O zm a i s a s n ea rl y

pe rf ec t a s a ny f ai ry may be , an d s he i s n ot ed f or he r w is do m a s w el l as f or h er ot he r qua li ti es . H er ha ppy

s ub je ct s a do re t he ir g ir l R ul er , a nd e ac

h o ne c on si de rs h er a c om ra de a nd p ro te ct or .

At the time of which I write, Ozma's best friend and most constant companion was a little Kansas girl

na med D or ot hy , a m or tal w ho ha d c ome t o t he L and of Oz i n a ver y cur ious manner and had been of fer ed a

h om e i n O zm a' s p al ac e. F ur th er mo re , D or ot hy h ad

b ee n ma de a P ri nc es s of O z a nd w as a s m uc h at h om e i n t he r oy al p al ac e a s w as t he g en tl e R ul er . S he

k ne w a lm os t e ve ry p ar t o f t he g re at c ou nt ry a nd a lm os t a ll o f i ts n um er ou s i nh ab it an ts . N ex t t o O zm a s he

w as l ove d b et te r t ha n a ny on e i n a ll O z, f or D or o

t hy w as s im pl e a nd s we et , s el do m b ec am e a ng ry , a nd h ad s uc h a f ri en dl y, c hu mm y w ay t ha t s he m ad e

f ri en ds w he re ve r s he w an de re d. I t w as s he w ho f ir s t b ro ug ht t he S ca re cr ow a nd t he T in W oo dm an a nd t he

C ow ar dl y L io n t o t he E me ra ld C it y. D or ot hy h ad a ls o i n

t ro du ce d t o O zm a t he S ha gg y M an a nd t he H un gr y T ig er , a s w el l a s B il li na t he Y el lo w H en , E ur ek a t he P in k

K it te n, a nd m an y o th er d el ig ht fu l c ha ra ct er s a nd c r ea tu re s. C om in g a s s he d id f r om o ur w or ld , D or ot hy w as

m uc h l ik e m any o the r g ir ls w e k no w; s o t he r

e w er e t ime s w he n s he w as n ot s o w is e as s he m ig ht ha ve be en , a nd ot her t im es w he n s he w as o bs ti nat e

a nd g ot h er se lf i nt o t ro ub le . B ut l if e i n a f ai ry la nd h ad t au gh t t he l it tl e g ir l t o a cc ep t a ll s or ts o f s ur pr is in g

t h in gs a s m a tt e rs - of - co u rs e , f o r w h il e

D or ot hy w as n o f ai ry -- bu t j us t a s m or ta l a s w e a re -- sh e h ad s ee n m or e w on de rs t ha n m os t m or ta ls e ve r d o. Another little girl from our outside world also lived in Ozma's palace. This was Betsy Bobbin, whose

s tr an ge a dve nt ur es h ad b ro ug ht h er t o t he E me ra ld C it y , w he re O zm a h ad c or di al l y w el co me d h er . B et s y

w as a s hy l it tl e t hi ng a nd c oul d n eve r ge t us ed t o

t he m ar ve ls t ha t s ur ro un de d h er , b ut s he a nd D or ot hy w er e f ir m f r ie nd s a nd t ho ug ht t he ms el ve s ve ry f or tu na te

i n b ei ng t og et he r i n t hi s d el i gh tf ul c ou nt r y.

O ne d ay , D or ot hy a nd B et sy w er e vi si ti ng O zm a i n t he g ir l R ul er 's p ri va te a pa rt me nt , a nd a mo ng t he

t hi ng s t ha t e sp ec ia ll y i nt er es te d t he m w as O zm a' s M ag ic P ic tu re , s et i n a h an ds om e f ra me a nd h un g u po n

t he w al l o f t he r oom . T hi s p ic tu re w as a ma gi c o ne

b ec a us e i t c on st an t ly c ha ng ed i t s s c en es a nd s h ow ed e ve nt s a nd a dve nt ur es h ap pe ni ng i n a ll p ar t s o f t he

w or ld. T hu s i t w as r ea ll y a " mo vi ng p ic tur e" of l if e, an d i f t he one w ho s too d be for e i t w is hed t o k now w hat

a ny a bs en t p er so n w as d oi ng , t he p ic tu re

i ns ta nt ly s ho we d t ha t p er so n w it h h is o r h er s ur ro un di ng . T he t wo g ir ls w er e n ot w is hi ng t o s ee a ny on e i np ar ti cu la r o n t hi s o cc as io n, b ut m er el y e nj oy ed w at ch in g t he s hi ft in g s ce ne s, s om e o f w hi ch w er e

e x ce e di n gl y c u ri o us a n d r e ma r ka b le . S u dd e nl y , D o ro

t hy e xc la im ed , " Wh y, t he re 's B ut to n- Br ig ht !" a nd t hi s d re w O zm a a ls o t o l oo k a t t he p ic tu re , f or s he a nd

D or ot hy k ne w t he b oy w el l.

" Wh o i s B ut to n- Br ig ht ?" a sk ed B et sy , w ho h ad n eve r m et h im .

" Wh y, h e' s t he l it tl e b oy w ho i s j us t g et ti ng o ff t he b ac k o f t ha t s tr an ge f ly in g c re at ur e, " e xc la im ed

D or ot hy . T he n s he t ur ne d t o O zm a a nd a sk ed , " Wh at i s t ha t t hi ng , O zm a? A b ir d? I 've ne ve r s ee n a ny th in g

l i ke i t b ef o re . "

" It i s an Or k, " an sw er ed Oz ma, f or t hey w er e w at ch ing t he s ce ne w he re t he Or k an d t he t hr ee bi g

b ir ds w er e f ir s t l an di ng t he ir p as se ng er s i n J in xl an d a ft er t he l on g f li gh t a cr os s t he d es er t . " I w on de r, " a dd ed

t he g ir l R ul er m us in gl y , " wh y t ho se s t ra ng er

s d ar e ve nt ur e i nt o t ha t u nf or tu na te c ou nt ry , w hi ch i s r ul ed b y a w ic ke d K in g. "

" Th at g ir l a nd t he o ne -l eg ge d m an s ee m t o b e m or ta ls f ro m t he o ut si de w or ld ," s ai d D or ot hy .

" Th e m an i sn 't o ne -l eg ge d, " c or r ec te d B et sy , " he h as o ne w oo de n l eg ."

" I t' s a lm os t a s b ad ," d ec l ar ed D or ot hy , w at c hi ng C ap 'n B il l s t um p a r ou nd .

P a g e 5 8



" Th ey a re t hr ee m or ta l a dve nt ur er s, " s ai d O zm a, " an d t he y s ee m w or th y a nd h on es t. B ut I f ea r t he y

w il l b e t re at ed b ad ly i n J in xl an d, a nd i f t he y m ee t w it h a ny m is fo rt un e t he re , i t w il l r ef le ct u po n m e, f or

J in xl an d i s a p ar t o f m y d om in io ns ."

" Ca n't w e he lp t he m i n an y w ay ?" i nq ui re d D or ot hy . " Th at s ee ms l ik e a n ic e l it tl e gi rl . I 'd be s or ry i f

a ny t hi n g h a pp en ed t o h er . "

" Le t u s w at ch t he p ic tu re f or a w hi le ," s ug ge st ed O zm a, a nd s o t he y a ll d re w c ha ir s b ef or e t he M ag ic

P ic tu re a nd f ol lo we d t he a dve nt ur es o f T ro t a nd C ap 'n b il l a nd B ut t on -B ri gh t. P re se nt l y, t he s ce ne s hi ft ed a nd

s ho we d t he ir f r ie nd t he S ca re cr ow c r os si ng t he m ou nt ai ns i nt o J in xl an d, a nd t ha t s om ew ha t r el ie ve d O zm a' s a nx ie ty , f or s he k ne w a t o nc e t ha t G li nd a

t he G oo d h ad s en t t he S ca re cr ow t o p ro te ct t he s tr an ge rs .

T he a dve nt ur es i n J in xl an d p ro ve d ve ry i nt er es t in g t o t he t hr e e g ir l s i n O zm a' s p al ac e, w ho d ur i ng t he

s uc ce ed in g d ay s s pen t m uc h o f t he ir t im e i n w at ch ing t he p ic tu re . I t w as l ik e a s to ry t o t he m. " Th at gi rl 's a

r e g' l ar t r um p! " e x cl a im ed D or o th y , r e fe

r ri ng t o T ro t, a nd O zm a a ns we re d:

" She 's a d ea r l it tl e t hi ng, an d I 'm s ur e n ot hi ng ver y ba d w il l h app en t o her . The ol d s ai lo r i s a f ine

c ha ra ct er , t oo , f or h e h as n eve r o nc e g ru mb le d o ve r b ei ng a g ra ss ho pp er , a s s o m an y w ou ld h ave d on e. "

W he n t he S ca re cr ow w as s o n ea rl y b ur ne d u p, t he g ir ls a ll s hi ve re d a l it tl e, a nd t he y c la pp ed t he ir

ha nd s w hen t he f lo ck o f O rk s c ame an d s aved h im . S o i t w as t ha t w hen a ll t he e xc it in g a dvent ur es i n

J in xl an d w er e o ve r a nd t he f ou r O rk s h ad b eg un t he ir

f li gh t a cr os s t he m oun tai ns t o c ar ry t he mo rt al s i nt o t he La nd o f Oz , O zm a c al led t he W iz ar d t o he r a nd

as ked h im t o p re pa re a p lac e f or t he s tr an ge rs t o s lee p. T he f am ou s W iz ar d of Oz w as a q ua int l it tl e m an

w ho i nh ab it ed t he r oy al p al ac e a nd a tt en de d t

o a ll t he m ag ic al t hi ngs t hat O zma w an te d do ne . H e w as no t as p ow er ful a s G li nda , t o b e s ur e, bu t he c ou ld

d o a g re at m an y w on de rf ul t hi ng s. H e p ro ve d t ha t b y p la ci ng a h ou se i n t he u ni nh ab it ed p ar t o f t he Q ua dl in g

C ou nt ry w he re t he O rk s l an de d C ap 'n B i

l l a nd T ro t a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht a nd f it ti ng i t w it h a ll t he c om fo rt s I h ave d es cr ib ed i n t he l as t c ha pt er .

N ex t mo rn in g D or ot hy s ai d t o Oz ma, " Oug ht n' t w e t o go m ee t t he s tr ang er s s o w e c an s how t hem

t he w ay t o t he E me ral d C it y? I 'm s ur e t hat l it tl e g ir l w il l f eel s hy i n t hi s be aut if ul l an d, an d I k now i f ' tw as m e,

I 'd l ik e s om eb od y t o g ive m e a w el co me ."

Oz ma s mi le d a t h er l it tl e f ri end an d a ns we red , " You an d B et sy m ay g o t o m eet t hem i f y ou w is h, b ut

I c an n ot l ea ve m y p al ac e j us t n ow , a s I a m t o h ave a c on fe re nc e w it h J ac k P um pk in he ad a nd P ro fe ss or

W og gl eb ug o n i mp or ta nt m at te rs . Y ou m ay t ak e t he S aw h

or se a nd t he R ed W ag on , an d i f y ou s ta rt s oo n, y ou w il l b e ab le t o m ee t t he S car ec row an d t he s tr an ge rs a tGlinda's palace."

" Oh , t ha nk y ou !" c ri ed D or ot hy , a nd w en t a wa y t o t el l B et sy a nd t o m ak e p re pa ra ti on s f or t he

journey.

P a g e 5 9



CHAPTER 22

THE WATERFALL

G li nd a' s c as t le w as a l on g w ay f r om t he m ou nt ai ns , b ut t he S ca re cr ow b eg an t he j ou rn ey c he er f ul ly ,

s in ce t ime w as of n o g re at i mp or tan ce i n t he La nd of Oz and h e h ad r ec en tl y ma de t he t ri p an d k new t he

w ay . I t n eve r m at t er ed m uc h t o B ut t on -B ri gh t w he re

h e w as o r w ha t h e w as d oi ng ; t he b oy w as c on te nt i n b ei ng a li ve a nd h avi ng g oo d c om pa ni on s t o s ha re h is

w an de ri ng s. A s f or T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l, t he y n ow f ou nd t he ms el ve s s o c om fo rt ab le a nd f re e f ro m d an ge r i nt hi s f in e f ai ry la nd , a nd t he y w er e s o a we d a n

d a ma ze d b y t he a dve nt ur es t he y w er e e nc ou nt er in g t ha t t he j ou rn ey t o G li nd a' s p al ac e w as m or e l ik e a

p le as ur e t ri p t ha n a h ar ds hi p, s o m an y w on de rf ul t hi ng s w er e t he re t o s ee .

Bu tt on- Br ight h ad b een i n Oz bef or e, but n eve r i n t hi s pa rt o f i t, s o t he S ca re cr ow w as t he o nl y o ne

w ho k ne w t he p at hs a nd c ou ld l ea d t he m. T he y h ad e at en a h ea rt y b re ak fa st , w hi ch t he y f ou nd a lr ea dy

p re pa re d f or t he m a nd a wa it in g t he m o n t he t ab le w he n

t he y a ro se f ro m t he ir r ef re sh in g s le ep , s o t he y l ef t t he m ag ic h ou se i n a c on te nt ed m oo d a nd w it h h ea rt s

l ig ht er a nd m or e h ap py t ha n t he y h ad k no wn f or m an y a d ay . A s t he y m ar ch ed a lo ng t hr ou gh t he f ie ld s, t he

s un s ho ne b ri gh tl y a nd t he b re ez e w as l ad en

w it h d el ic io us f r ag ra nc e, f or i t c ar r ie d w it h i t t he b re at h o f m il l io ns o f w il df lo we rs .

At noon, when they stopped to rest by the banks of a pretty river, Trot said with a long-drawn breath

t hat w as mu ch l ik e a s igh , " I w is h w e' d br oug ht w it h u s s ome o f t he f ood t hat w as l ef t f ro m our b re ak fas t, f or

I ' m g et t in g h un g ry a g ai n ."

S car cel y ha d s he s pok en w hen a t abl e r os e up bef or e t hem a s i f f rom t he g rou nd i ts el f, an d i t w as

l oa de d w it h f ru it s a nd n ut s a nd c ak es a nd m an y o th er g oo d t hi ng s t o e at . T he l it tl e g ir l' s e ye s o pe ne d w id e a t

t hi s d is pl ay of ma gi c, a nd C ap 'n B il l w as no

t s ur e t ha t t he t hi ngs w er e ac tu al ly t he re an d f it t o ea t u nt il he ha d t ak en t hem i n h is h an d a nd t as te d t he m.

B ut t he S ca re cr ow s ai d w it h a l au gh , " So me on e i s l oo ki ng a ft er y ou r w el fa re , t ha t i s c er ta in , a nd f ro m t he

l ooks of t his t able, I s uspec t my f r

i en d t he W iz ar d h as t ak en u s i n h is c ha rge . I 've k now n h im t o d o t hi ng s l ik e t hi s be for e, a nd i f w e a re i n t he

W iz ar d' s c ar e, y ou n ee d n ot w or ry a bo ut y ou r f ut ur e. "

" Wh o' s w or r yi ng ?" i nq ui r ed B ut to n- B ri gh t, a lr ea dy a t t he t ab le a nd b us i ly e at i ng .

T he S ca re cr ow l oo ke d a ro un d t he p la ce w hi le t he o th er s w er e f ea st in g, a nd f in di ng m an y t hi ng s

un fa mi li ar t o h im, he s hoo k h is he ad an d r emar ke d, " I mu st ha ve t ak en t he w ro ng p at h ba ck a t t ha t l as t

va ll ey , f or o n my w ay t o J in xl and I r eme mbe r t hat I pa ss ed a ro un d t he f oo t o f t hi s r ive r, w he re t he re w as a g re at w at er fa ll ."

" Di d t he r ive r m ak e a b en d a ft er t he w at er fa ll ?" a sk ed C ap 'n B il l.

" No , t he r ive r d is ap pe ar ed . O nl y a p oo l o f w hi rl in g w at er s ho we d w ha t h ad b ec om e o f t he r ive r; b ut I

s up po se i t i s u nd er gr ou nd s om ew he re a nd w il l c om e t o t he s ur fa ce a ga in i n a no th er p ar t o f t he c ou nt ry ."

" Wel l, " s ugg es te d T ro t a s s he f in is he d h er l unc he on , " as t her e i s n o w ay t o c ros s t hi s r iver , I s 'p os e

w e' ll h ave t o f in d t ha t w at er fa ll a nd g o a ro un d i t. "

" Ex ac t ly , " r e pl ie d t he S ca re cr ow ; s o t he y s oo n r en ew ed t he ir j ou rn ey , f ol lo wi ng t he r i ve r f or a l on g

t ime u nt il t he r oar of t he w at er fa ll s ou nd ed i n t he ir e ar s. B y an d b y t hey c am e t o t he w at er fal l i ts el f, a s hee t

o f s il ve r d ro ppi ng f ar , f ar d ow n i nt o a

t in y l ak e w hi ch s ee me d t o h ave n o o ut le t. F ro m t he t op o f t he f al l w he re t he y s to od , t he b an ks g ra du al ly

s lo pe d a wa y s o t ha t t he d es ce nt b y l an d w as q ui te e as y, w hi le t he r ive r c ou ld d o n ot hi ng b ut g li de o ver a n

e dg e o f r oc k a nd t um bl e s tr ai gh t d ow n t ot he d ep th s b el ow .

" Yo u s ee ," s ai d t he S ca re cr ow , l ea ni ng o ve r t he b ri nk , " th is i s c al le d b y o ur O z p eo pl e t he G re at

W at er fa ll b ec au se i t i s c er ta in ly t he h ig he st o ne i n a ll t he l an d; b ut I t hi nk -- He lp !" H e h ad l os t h is b al an ce

a nd p it c he d h ea d f or em os t i nt o t he r ive r. T

h ey s aw a f la sh o f s tr aw a nd b lu e c lo th es a nd t he p ai nt ed f ac e l oo ki ng u pw ar d i n s ur pr is e. T he n ex t m om en t

t he S ca re cr ow w as s we pt o ve r t he w at er fa ll a nd p lu ng ed i nt o t he b as in b el ow . T he a cc id en t h ad h ap pe ne d s o

s ud de nl y t ha t f or a m om en t t he y w er e a ll

t oo h or r if i ed t o s pe ak o r m ove .

" Qu ic k! W e m us t g o t o h el p h im , o r h e w il l b e d ro wn ed ," T ro t e xc la im ed . E ve n w hi le s pe ak in g, s he

b eg an t o d es ce nd t he b an k t o t he p oo l b el ow , a nd C ap 'n B il l f ol lo we d a s s wi ft ly a s h is w oo de n l eg w ou ld l et

him.

B ut to n- Br ig ht c am e m or e s lo wl y, c al li ng t o t he g ir l, " He c an 't d ro wn , T ro t. H e' s a S ca re cr ow ."

B ut s he w as n' t s ur e a S ca re cr ow c ou ld n' t d ro wn a nd n eve r r el ax ed h er s pe ed u nt il s he s to od o n t he

e dg e o f t he p oo l w it h t he s pr ay d as hi ng i n h er f ac e. C ap 'n B il l, p uf fi ng a nd p an ti ng , h ad j us t vo ic e e no ug h t o

a sk as h e r ea ch ed h er s id e, " See h im , Tr ot ?"

P a g e 6 0



" No t a s pe ck of h im. Oh, C ap' n w hat d o y ou s 'p os e ha s b ec om e of h im? "

" I s 'p os e, " r ep li ed t he s ai lor , " tha t he 's i n t ha t w at er , mo re or l es s f ar do wn , an d I 'm ' fr ai d i t' ll ma ke h is

s tr aw p re tt y s og gy . B ut a s f er h is b ei n' d ro wn ed , I a gr ee w it h B ut to n- Br ig ht t ha t i t c an 't b e d on e. "

T he re w as s ma ll c om fo rt i n t hi s a ss ur an ce , a nd T ro t s to od f or s om e t im e s ea rc hi ng w it h h er e ye s t he

b ub bl in g w at er i n t he h op e t ha t t he S ca re cr ow w ou ld f in al ly c om e t o t he s ur fa ce . P re se nt ly s he h ea rd

B u tt o n- B r ig h t c a ll i ng , " C om e h e re , T r ot ! " a n d l o ok i n

g ar ou nd s he s aw t ha t t he b oy had c re pt over t he w et r oc ks t o t he ed ge of t he w at er fal l and s eeme d t o b ep ee r in g b eh i nd i t .

M ak in g he r w ay t ow ar d hi m, s he as ke d, " Wh at do y ou s ee ?"

" A c a ve ," h e a ns w er ed . " L et 's g o i n, P 'r 'a ps w e' ll f in d t he S ca re cr ow t he re ."

S he w as a l it tl e d ou bt fu l of t ha t, bu t t he c ave i nt er es te d he r, a nd s o d id i t C ap' n B il l. T her e w as j us t

s pa ce en oug h at t he edg e of t he s he et o f w at er f or t hem t o c row d i n beh ind i t, bu t af ter t ha t da nger ous

e nt ra nc e t he y f ou nd r oo m e no ug h t o w al k u pr i

gh t an d af te r a t im e t hey c ame t o a n op en in g i n t he w al l o f r oc k. A ppr oa ch ing t hi s o pe ni ng, t he y g az ed w it hi n

i t a nd f ou nd a s er ie s o f s te ps c ut s o t ha t t he y m ig ht e as il y d es ce nd i nt o t he c ave rn. T rot t ur ne d t o l oo k

i nq ui ri ng ly a t h er c om pa ni on s. T he f

a ll in g w at er m ad e s uc h d in a nd r oa ri ng t ha t h er vo ic e c ou ld n ot b e h ea rd . C ap 'n B il l n od de d h is h ea d, b ut

b ef or e h e c ou ld e nt er t he c ave , B ut t on -B ri gh t w as b ef or e h im , c la mb er i ng d ow n t he s te ps w it ho ut a p ar ti c le o f

f ea r. S o t he o th er s f ol lo we d t he b oy .

T he f ir st s te ps w er e w et w it h s pr ay , an d s li pp er y, bu t t he r em ai nde r w er e qu it e dr y. A r os y l igh t s eem ed t o

c om e f rom t he i nt er ior of t he c ave, an d t hi s l igh ted t he ir w ay . A ft er t he s te ps t her e w as a s ho rt t un ne l, hi gh

en ough f or t hem t o w al k er ec t i n

, a nd t he n t he y r ea ch ed t he c ave i ts el f a nd p au se d i n w on de r a nd a dm ir at io n.

T he y s to od o n t he e dg e o f a va st c ave rn , t he w al ls a nd d om ed r oo f o f w hi ch w er e l in ed w it h c ou nt le ss

r ub ie s, e xq ui si te ly c ut a nd f la sh in g s pa rk li ng r ay s f ro m o ne t o a no th er . T hi s c au se d a r ad ia nt l ig ht t ha t

p e rm i tt e d t h e e n ti r e c a ve r n t o b e d i s t i nc t l y s

ee n, a nd t he ef fec t wa s s o mar ve lou s t ha t Tr ot d re w i n h er b re at h w it h a s or t o f ga sp an d s to od q ui te s ti ll i n

w on de r. B ut t he w al ls a nd r oo f o f t he c ave rn w er e m er el y a s et ti ng f or a m or e w on de rf ul s ce ne . I n t he c en te r

w as a b ub bl in g c au ld ro n o f w at er ,

f or her e t he r ive r r os e a ga in , s pl as hi ng an d d as hi ng t il l i ts s pr ay r os e hi gh i n t he a ir , w her e i t t ook t he r ub y

c ol or o f t he j ew el s a nd s ee me d l ik e a s ee th in g m as s o f f la me . A nd w hi le t he y g az ed i nt o t he t um bl in g,

t os si ng w at er , t he b od y o f t he S ca re cr ow s ud de nl y r os e i n t he c en te r, s tr ug gl in g a nd k ic ki ng , a nd t he n ex t i ns ta nt w ho ll y d is ap pe ar ed f ro m vi ew .

" My , b ut h e' s w et !" e xc la im ed B ut to n- Br ig ht ; b ut n on e o f t he o th er s h ea rd h im .

T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l d is co ve re d t ha t a b ro ad l ed ge -- co ve re d, l ik e t he w al ls , w it h g li t te ri ng r ub ie s- - ra n a ll

a ro un d t he c ave rn , s o t he y f ol lo we d t hi s g or ge ou s p at h t o t he r ea r a nd f ou nd w he re t he w at er m ad e i ts f in al

dive underground before it disappeared

e nt ir el y. W h er e i t p lu ng ed i nt o t hi s d im a by ss , t he r ive r w as b la ck a nd d re ar y l oo ki ng , a nd t he y s to od g az in g

i n a we u nt il j us t b es id e t he m t he b od y o f t he S ca re cr ow a ga in p op pe d u p f ro m t he w at er .

P a g e 6 1



CHAPTER 23

T HE LA ND OF OZ

T he s tr aw m an 's a pp ea ra nc e o n t he w at er w as s o s ud de n t ha t i t s ta rt le d T ro t, b ut C ap 'n B il l h ad t he

p re se nc e o f m in d t o s ti ck h is w oo de n l eg o ut o ve r t he w at er , a nd t he S ca re cr ow m ad e a d es pe ra te c lu tc h a nd

g ra bb ed t he l eg w it h b ot h h an ds . H e m an ag ed t o

h ol d o n u nt il T ro t a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht k ne lt d ow n a nd s ei ze d h is c lo th in g, b ut t he c hi ld re n w ou ld h ave be en

p ow er le ss t o d ra g t he s oa ke d S ca re cr ow a sh or e h ad n ot C ap 'n B il l n ow a ss is te d t he m. W he n t he y l ai d h imon t he l ed ge o f r ubi es , he w as t he mo st us el

e ss l oo ki ng S ca re cr ow y ou c an i ma gi ne -- hi s s t ra w s od de n a nd d ri pp in g w it h w at er , h is c lo th in g w et a nd

c ru mp le d, w hi le e ve n t he s ac k u po n w hi ch h is f ac e w as p ai nt ed h ad b ec om e s o w ri nk le d t ha t t he o ld j ol ly

e x pr e ss i on o f t h ei r s t uf f ed f r ie nd ' s f e at u re s w as

e nt ir el y g on e. B ut h e c oul d s ti ll s pe ak , a nd w he n Tr ot be nt d ow n h er e ar , s he he ar d h im s ay , " Get m e ou t of

her e as soon as y ou can. "

Th at s eeme d a wi se t hi ng t o do , s o C ap' n B il l l if ted h is he ad a nd s houl der s and Tr ot a nd

B ut to n- Br ig ht e ac h t oo k a l eg ; a mo ng t he m, t he y p ar tl y c ar ri ed a nd p ar tl y d ra gg ed t he d am p S ca re cr ow o ut o f

t he R ub y C ave rn , a lo ng t he t un ne l, a nd u p t he f li gh t o f r

o ck s te ps . I t w as s om ew ha t d if fi cu lt t o g et h im p as t t he e dg e o f t he w at er fa ll , b ut t he y s uc ce ed ed a ft er m uc h

e ff or t, a nd a f ew m in ut es l at er l ai d t he ir p oo r c om ra de o n a g ra ss y b an k w he re t he s un s ho ne u po n h im f re el y

and he w as bey ond t he r eac h of t he

s pr ay . C ap 'n B il l n ow k ne lt d ow n a nd e xa mi ne d t he s tr aw t ha t t he S ca re cr ow w as s tu ff ed w it h.

" I don' t bel ieve i t' ll b e of mu ch u se t o h im a ny m or e, " s ai d h e, " fo r i t' s f ul l o f po ll iw ogs a n' f is h e gg s,

an' the w at er has t ook all t he c rinkle out o' t he st raw an' r ui ned i t. I gues s, Tr ot , t hat t he best thing f or us t o

do is to empty out all his bo

dy an' car ry hi s head an' clothes along the r oad t ill we come to a field or a house where we can get some

f r es h s t r aw . "

" Ye s, C ap 'n ," s he a gr ee d, " th er e' s n ot hi ng e ls e t o b e d on e. B ut h ow s ha ll w e e ve r f in d t he r oa d t o

G li nd a' s p al ac e w it ho ut t he S ca re cr ow t o g ui de u s? "

" Th at 's e as y, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow , s pe ak in g i n a r at he r f ee bl e b ut d is ti nc t vo ic e. " If C ap 'n B il l w il l

c ar ry m y h ea d o n hi s s ho ul de rs , e ye s f ro nt , I c an t el l h im w hi ch w ay t o g o. "

S o t he y f ol lo we d t ha t p la n a nd e mp ti ed a ll t he o ld , w et s tr aw o ut o f t he S ca re cr ow 's b od y. T he n t he

s ai lo r- ma n w run g ou t t he c lo th es an d l ai d t hem i n t he s un t il l t hey w er e q ui te dr y. Tr ot t oo k c ha rg e of t he

h ea d a nd p re ss ed t he w ri nk le s o ut o f t he f ace a s i t d ri ed s o t ha t a ft er a w hi le t he S ca re cr ow 's e xp re ss io n b ec am e n at ur al a ga in , a nd a s j ol ly a s b ef or e.

T hi s w or k c on su me d s om e t im e, b ut w he n i t w as c om pl et ed t he y a ga in s ta rt ed u po n t he ir j ou rn ey ,

B ut t on -B ri gh t c ar r yi ng t he b oo ts a nd h at , T ro t t he

b un dl e o f c lo th es , a nd C ap 'n B il l t he h ea d. T he S ca re cr ow , h avi ng r eg ai ne d h is c om po su re a nd b ei ng n ow i n

a g oo d hu mo r de sp it e hi s r ec en t mi sha ps , be gu il ed t hei r w ay w it h s tor ie s of t he L an d of O z. I t w as n ot u nt il

t he n ex t m or ni ng , h ow eve r , t h at t h ey

f ou nd s tr aw w it h w hi ch t o r es tu ff t he S ca re cr ow . T ha t e ve ni ng t he y c am e t o t he s am e l it tl e h ou se t he y h ad

s le pt i n b ef or e, o nl y n ow i t w as m ag ic al ly t ra ns fe rr ed t o a n ew p la ce . T he s am e b ou nt if ul s up pe r a s b ef or e

w as f ou nd s mo ki ng h ot u po n t he t ab le , a nd

t he s am e c oz y b ed s w er e r ea dy f or t hem t o s le ep i n.

T he y r os e e ar ly a nd a ft er b re ak fa st w en t o ut o f d oo rs , a nd t he re , l yi ng j us t b es id e t he h ou se , w as a

h ea p o f c le an , c ri sp s tr aw . O zm a h ad n ot ic ed t he S ca re cr ow 's a cc id en t i n h er M ag ic P ic tu re a nd h ad n ot if ie dt he W iz ar d t o p ro vi de t he s tr aw , f or s he k ne

w t he a dve nt ur er s w er e n ot l ik el y t o f in d s tr aw i n t he c ou nt ry t hr ou gh w hi ch t he y w er e n ow t ra ve li ng . T he y

l os t n o t im e i n s tu ff in g t he S ca re cr ow a ne w, a nd h e w as g re at ly d el ig ht ed a t b ei ng a bl e t o w al k a ro un d a ga in

an d t o as sum e t he l ead er shi p o f t he l i

ttle party.

" Re al ly ," s ai d T ro t, " I t hi nk y ou 'r e b et te r t ha n y ou w er e b ef or e, f or y ou a re f re sh a nd s we et a ll t hr ou gh

a nd r us tl e b ea ut if ul ly w he n y ou m ove . "

" Th an k y ou , m y d ea r, " h e r ep li ed g ra te fu ll y. " I a lw ay s f ee l l ik e a n ew m an w he n I 'm f re sh ly s tu ff ed .

N o o ne l ik es t o ge t m us ty , y ou k no w, a nd e ven g oo d s tr aw ma y be s poi le d by ag e. "

" It w as w at er t ha t s po il ed y ou t he l as t t im e, " r em ar ke d B ut to n- Br ig ht , " wh ic h p ro ve s t ha t t oo m uc h

b at hi ng i s a s b ad a s t oo l it tl e. B ut a ft er a ll , S ca re cr ow , w at er i s n ot as d an ge rou s f or y ou a s f ir e. "

" Al l t hi ng s a re g oo d i n m od er at io n, " d ec la re d t he S ca re cr ow . " Bu t n ow , l et u s h ur ry o n, o r w e s ha ll

n ot r ea ch G li nd a' s p al ac e b y n ig ht f al l ."

P a g e 6 2



CHAPTER 24

THE ROYAL RECEPTION

At about four o'clock of that same day, the Red Wagon drew up at the entrance of Glinda's palace

a nd D or ot hy a nd B et sy j um pe d o ut . O zm a' s R ed W ag on w as a lm os t a c ha ri ot , b ei ng i nl ai d w it h r ub ie s a nd

p ea rl s, a nd i t w as d ra wn b y O zm a' s f avo ri te s te ed , t he

w oo de n S aw ho rs e. " Sh al l I u nh ar ne ss y ou ," a sk ed D or ot hy , " so y ou c an c om e i n a nd vi s it ?"

" No ," r ep li ed t he S aw ho rs e. " I' ll j us t s ta nd h er e a nd t hi nk . T ak e y ou r t im e. T hi nk in g d oe sn 't s ee mt o bor e me at al l. "

" Wh at w il l y ou t hi nk o f? " i nq ui re d B et sy .

" Of t he ac or n t hat gr ew t he t ree f rom w hi ch I w as m ade ."

S o t hey l ef t t he w ood en an ima l an d w en t i n t o s ee G li nda , w ho w el com ed t he l it tl e gi rl s i n h er m os t

c or di al m an ne r. " I k ne w y ou w er e o n y ou r w ay ," s ai d t he g oo d S or ce re ss w he n t he y w er e s ea te d i n h er

l ib ra ry , " fo r I l ea rn ed f ro m m y R ec or d B oo k t ha t y ou

i nt en de d t o m ee t T ro t a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht o n t he ir a rr iva l h er e. "

" Is t he s tr an ge l it tl e g ir l n am ed T ro t? " a sk ed D or ot hy .

" Ye s; a nd he r c om pa ni on , t he ol d s ai lo r, i s n am ed C ap' n B il l. I t hi nk w e s ha ll l ik e t he m ve ry m uc h,

f or t he y ar e j us t t he k in d o f p eop le t o enj oy a nd app re ci at e o ur f ai ry la nd, an d I do no t s ee any w ay at pr es en t

f or t hem t o r et ur n a ga in t o t he o ut si de w

orld."

" We ll , t he re 's r oo m e no ug h h er e f or t he m, I 'm s ur e, " s ai d D or ot hy . " Be ts y a nd I a re a lr ea dy e ag er t o

w el co me Tr ot . I t w il l k eep u s bu sy f or a y ea r, at l ea st , s ho wi ng h er a ll t he w on de rf ul t hi ng s i n O z. "

G li nd a s mi le d. " I h ave l ive d h er e m an y y ea rs ," s ai d s he , " an d I h ave n ot s ee n a ll t he w on de rs o f O z

y e t . "

M ea nt im e, t he t ra ve le rs w er e d ra wi ng n ea r t o t he p al ac e, a nd w he n t he y f ir st c au gh t s ig ht o f i ts

t ow er s, T ro t r ea li ze d t ha t i t w as f ar m or e g ra nd a nd i mp os in g t ha n w as t he K in g' s c as tl e i n J in xl an d. T he

n ea re r t he y c am e, t he m or e b ea ut if ul t he p al ac e a p

p ea re d, a nd w he n f in al ly t he S ca re cr ow l ed t he m u p t he g re at m ar bl e s te ps , e ve n B ut to n- Br i gh t w as f il l ed w it h

awe.

" I d on 't s ee a ny s ol di er s t o g ua rd t he p lac e, " s ai d t he l it tl e g ir l.

" Th er e i s n o n ee d t o g ua rd G li nd a' s p al ac e, " r ep li ed t he S ca re cr ow . " We h ave n o w ic ke d p eo pl e i n

O z t ha t w e k no w o f, a nd e ve n i f t he re w er e a ny , G li nd a' s m ag ic w ou ld b e p ow er fu l e no ug h t o p ro te ct h er ."

B ut to n- Br ig ht w as n ow s ta nd in g o n t he t op s te ps o f t he e nt ra nc e, a nd h e s ud de nl y e xc la im ed , " Wh y,t he re 's t he S aw ho rs e a nd t he R ed W ag on . H ip , h oo ra y! " a nd n ex t m om en t h e w as r us hi ng d ow n t o t hr ow h is

a rm s a ro un d t he n ec k o f t he S aw ho rs e, w hi ch g oo d- na tu

r ed ly p er mi t te d t hi s f am il i ar i ty w he n i t r ec og ni ze d i n t he b oy a n o ld f r ie nd . B ut t on -B r ig ht 's s ho ut h ad b ee n

h ea rd i ns id e t he p al ac e, s o n ow D or ot hy a nd B et sy c am e r un ni ng o ut t o e mb ra ce t he ir b el ove d f ri en d, t he

S ca re cr ow , a nd t o w el co me T ro t a nd C ap 'n B

ill to the Land of Oz.

" We 've b ee n w at ch in g y ou f or a l on g t im e i n O zm a' s M ag ic P ic tu re ," s ai d D or ot hy , " an d O zm a h as

s en t us t o in vi te y ou t o h er ow n pa la ce i n t he E m' ral d C it y. I do n' t k no w i f y ou r ea li ze ho w l uc ky y ou a re t o

g et t h at i n vi t at io n, b ut y ou 'l l u nd er s ta nd i t b e

t te r a ft er y ou 've s ee n t he r oy al p al ac e a nd t he E m' ra ld C it y. "

G li nd a n ow a pp ea re d i n p er so n t o l ea d a ll t he p ar ty i nt o h er A zu re R ec ep ti on R oo m. T ro t w as a l it tl e

a fr ai d o f t he s ta te ly S or ce re ss , b ut g ai ne d c ou ra ge b y h ol di ng f as t t o t he h an ds o f B et sy a nd D or ot hy . C ap 'nBil l had no one t o hel p him f eel at ease, s

o t he ol d s ai lor s at s ti ff ly o n t he ed ge of hi s c hai r a nd s ai d, " Ye s, m a' am ," o r " No , ma 'a m, " w hen h e w as

s po ke n t o a nd w as g re at ly e mb ar ra ss ed b y s o m uc h s pl en do r. T he S ca re cr ow h ad l ive d s o m uc h i n p al ac es

t ha t h e f el t qu it e a t h om e, a nd h e c ha tt ed t o

G li nd a a nd t he O z g ir ls i n a m er ry , l ig ht -h ea rt ed w ay . H e t ol d a ll a bo ut h is a dve nt ur es i n J in xl an d a nd a t t he

G re at W at er fa ll a nd o n t he j ou rn ey h it he r- - mo st o f w hi ch h is h ea re rs k ne w a lr ea dy - -a nd t he n h e a sk ed

D or ot hy a nd B et sy w ha t h ad h ap pe ne d i n t he

E me ra ld C it y s in ce h e h ad l ef t t he re .

T he y a ll p as se d t he e ve ni ng a nd n ig ht a t G li nd a' s p al ac e, a nd t he S or ce re ss w as s o g ra ci ou s t o

C ap 'n B il l t ha t t he o ld m an b y d eg re es r eg ai ne d h is s el f- po ss es si on a nd b eg an t o e nj oy h im se lf . T ro t h ad

a lr ea dy c om e t o t he c on cl us io n t ha t i n D or ot hy a nd B e

t sy s he h ad f ou nd t wo d el ig ht fu l c om ra de s, a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht w as j us t a s m uc h a t h om e h er e a s h e h ad b ee n

i n t he f iel ds of J inx land o r w hen he w as bu ri ed i n t he po pc or n s now of t he Lan d of M o. T he ne xt mor ni ng t he y

a ro se b ri gh t a nd e ar ly a nd a ft er b re ak f

a st b ad e g oo db ye t o t he k in d S or ce re ss , w ho m T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l t ha nk ed e ar ne st ly f or s en di ng t he

P a g e 6 3



S ca re cr ow t o J in xl an d t o r es cu e t he m. T he n t he y a ll c li mb ed i nt o t he R ed W ag on .

T he re w as r oo m f or a ll o n t he b ro ad s ea ts , a nd w he n a ll h ad t ak en t he ir p la ce s- -D or ot hy , T ro t a nd

B et sy o n t he r ea r s ea t a nd C ap 'n B il l, B ut to n- Br ig ht a nd t he S ca re cr ow i n f ro nt -- th ey c al le d " Gi d- da p! " t o t he

S aw ho rs e, a nd t he w oo de n s te ed m ove d b r is k ly

a wa y, p ul li ng t he R ed W ag on w it h e as e. I t w as n ow t ha t t he s tr an ge rs b eg an t o p er ce ive t he r ea l b ea ut ie s o f

t he L an d o f O z, f or t he y w er e p as si ng t hr ou gh a m or e t hi ck ly s et tl ed p ar t o f t he c ou nt ry , a nd t he p op ul at io n

g re w m or e d en se a s t he y d re w n ea re r t

o t he E me ra ld C it y. E ver yon e t hey me t h ad a c hee ry w or d or a s mi le f or t he S ca re cr ow , D or ot hy an d B et syB ob bi n, a nd s om e o f t he m r em em be re d B ut to n- Br i gh t a nd w el c om ed h im b ac k t o t he ir c ou nt r y.

I t w as a h ap py p ar ty i nd ee d t ha t j ou rn ey ed i n t he R ed W ag on t o t he E me ra ld C it y, a nd T ro t a lr ea dy

be gan t o hop e t hat Oz ma w ou ld pe rm it he r a nd C ap' n Bi ll t o l ive a lw ay s i n t he L an d of O z. W he n t he y

r ea ch ed t he g re at c it y, t he y w er e m or e a ma ze d t ha n e ver

, b ot h b y t he c on co ur se o f p eo pl e i n t he ir q ua in t a nd p ic tu re sq ue c os tu me s a nd b y t he s pl en do r o f t he c it y

i ts el f. B ut t he m ag ni fi ce nc e o f t he R oy al P al ac e q ui te t oo k t he ir b re at h a wa y, u nt il O zm a r ec ei ve d t he m i n

h er o wn p re tt y a pa rt me nt a nd b y h er c ha r

m in g m an ne rs a nd a ss ur in g s mi le s m ad e t he m f ee l t he y w er e n o l on ge r s tr an ge rs . T ro t w as g ive n a l ove ly

l it tl e r oo m n ex t t o t hat o f D or ot hy , w hi le C ap' n B il l h ad t he c oz ie st s or t o f a r oo m ne xt t o T rot 's an d

o ve r lo o ki n g t h e g ar d en s . A n d t h at e ve ni n g O z ma

g ave a g ra nd b an qu et a nd r ec ep ti on i n ho no r o f t he ne w a rr iva ls . W hi le T ro t h ad r ea d o f m an y o f t he p eo pl e

s he t he n m et , C ap 'n B il l w as l es s f am il ia r w it h t he m, a nd m an y o f t he u nu su al c ha ra ct er s i nt ro du ce d t o h im

t ha t e ve ni ng c au se d t he o ld s ai lo r t o o

p en h is e ye s w id e i n a st on is hm en t.

H e h ad t hou ght t he l ive S ca re cr ow a bou t a s c ur iou s as an yon e c ou ld be, b ut no w he m et t he T in

W oo dm an , w ho w as a ll m ad e o f t in , e ve n t o h is h ea rt , a nd c ar ri ed a g le am in g a xe o ve r h is s ho ul de r w he re ver

h e w en t. T he n t he re w as J ac k P um pk in he ad , w ho se h ea d

w as a r ea l p um pk in w it h t he f ac e c ar ve d u po n i t; a nd P ro fe ss or W og gl eb ug , w ho h ad t he s ha pe o f a n

e no rm ou s b ug b ut w as d re ss ed i n n ea t- f it ti ng g ar me nt s. T he P ro fe ss or w as a n i nt er es t in g t al ke r a nd h ad ve ry

p ol it e m an ne rs , b ut h is f ac e w as s o c om ic al t ha t

i t ma de C ap 'n B il l s mi le t o l oo k a t i t. A g rea t f ri end o f D or ot hy an d Oz ma s ee me d t o be a m ac hi ne m an

c al le d T ik -T ok , w ho r an d ow n s eve ra l t im es d ur in g t he e ve ni ng a nd h ad t o b e w ou nd u p a ga in b y s om eo ne

b ef or e h e c ou ld m ove o r s pe ak .

At the reception appeared the Shaggy Man and his brother, both very popular in Oz, as well as

D or ot hy 's U nc le H en ry a nd A un t E m, t wo h ap py o ld p eo pl e w ho l ive d i n a p re tt y c ot ta ge n ea r t he p al ac e. Bu tw ha t p er ha ps s ee me d m os t s ur pr is in g t o b ot h T ro t a nd

C ap 'n B il l w as t he n um be r o f p ec ul ia r a ni ma ls a dm it te d i nt o O zm a' s p ar lo rs , w he re t he y n ot o nl y c on du ct ed

t he ms el ve s q ui te p ro pe rl y, b ut w er e a bl e t o t al k a s w el l a s a ny on e. T he re w as t he C ow ar dl y L io n, a n

i mm en se b ea st w it h a b ea ut if ul m an e; a nd t he H u

n gr y T ig er , w ho s mi le d c on ti nu al ly ; a nd E ur ek a t he P in k K it te n, w ho l ay c ur le d u po n a c us hi on a nd h ad r at he r

s up er ci li ou s m an ne rs ; a nd t he w oo de n S aw ho rs e; a nd n in e t in y p ig le ts t ha t b el on ge d t o t he W iz ar d; a nd a

m ul e n am ed H an k w ho b el on ge d t o B et sy B ob b

i n. A f uz zy l it tl e t er ri er d og n am ed T ot o l ay a t D or ot hy 's f ee t b ut s el do m t oo k p ar t i n t he c on ve rs at io n,

al tho ugh h e l is ten ed t o ever y w or d t ha t w as s ai d. B ut t he m os t w ond er fu l o f a ll t o T ro t w as a s qu ar e be as t

w it h a w in ni ng s mi le , t ha t s qu at ted i n a

c or ner o f t he r oom and w agged his s quar e head at ever yo ne i n q ui te a j ol ly w ay . B et sy t ol d T ro t t ha t t hi s

u ni qu e be as t w as c al led t he W oo zy , an d t her e w as no ot he r l ik e h im i n a ll t he w or ld.C ap 'n B il l a nd T ro t h ad b ot h l oo ke d a ro un d e xp ec ta nt ly f or t he W iz ar d o f O z, b ut t he e ven in g w as f ar

adva nc ed b ef or e t he f am ou s l it tl e m an e nt er ed t he r oo m. B ut h e w en t u p t o t he s tr an ge rs a t o nc e a nd s ai d, " I

know you, but you don't k now me; so let's g

et acquainted."

And they did get acquainted in a very short time, and before the evening was over, Trot felt that she

k ne w e ve ry p er so n a nd a ni ma l p re se nt a t t he r ec ep ti on a nd t ha t t he y w er e a ll h er g oo d f ri en ds .

S ud de nl y t he y l oo ke d a ro un d f or B ut to n- Br ig ht , b ut h e w as n ow he re t o b e f ou nd .

baum. l frank the scarecrow of oz

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