ojo in oz - l. frank baum

8/10/2019 Ojo in Oz - L. Frank Baum

1/216

Ojo In Oz Oz 27

L . F ra nk B au m

by Ruth Plumly Thompson

C HA PT ER 1

Gypsies!

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html


2/216

JUST outside the western wall of theEmeraldCity,

facing the yellow brick highway, stands a small

g r ee n c ot ta ge w it h b lu e s hu tt er s. N ow I s up po se i n

a ny c ou nt ry b ut O z a g re en c ot ta ge w it h b lu e s hu t-

t er s w ou ld s ee m od d, bu t i n t ha t s tr ang e a nd wo n-

d er fu l cou nt ry t here are s o m an y m uch m or e s tr an ge

and ast on is hi ng s ig ht s t hat n o o ne f in ds t he cot tage

i n t he l east u nu su al . T he b lu e s hu tt er s m er el y m ar k

it a s t he r es id en ce o f U ne N un ki e, a n o ld M un ch ki n

n ob leman, and h is l it tl e n ep hew, O jo . T ho ug h U nc

N un ki e h as t ak en r ef ug e n ea r O zm a' s c ap it al , h e

n ev er f or ge ts t ha t h e h ai ls f ro m t he b lu e c ou nt ry o f

t he w es t, a nd he a nd Oj o s ti ll dr es s i n t he Qua in t bl ue

cos tu mes o f t he M un ch ki ns and r et ai n m an y o f t he

s im pl e and k in dl y cus to ms o f t heir o wn n at iv e l an d.

As t o O z i ts el f, I n ee d ha rdl y re mind you t ha t Oz

i s a g reat , o bl on g, m ag ical cou nt ry d iv id ed i nt o f ou r

triangular kingdoms, of which the blue Munchkin

country forms the western triangle, the yellow Win-

k ie cou nt ry t he eas tern t ri an gl e, t he p ur pl e l an d o f

t he G il li kens t he n or th er n t ri an gl e and t he r ed l an d

of t he Q uadl in gs t he s ou th er n t ri an gl e. I n t he exact

ce nt er , w he re a ll o f t he se t ri an gl es m ee t, i s t he c ap -

i ta l o f Q z w he re P ri nc es s O zm a, f ai ry r ul er o f a ll

f ou r r ealm s, h ol ds cou rt and l iv es i n h er s park li ng

emerald p al ace w it h t hr ee l it tl e m or tal g ir ls w ho are



3/216

h er f ri en ds , and m an y s tr an ge and cur io us cel eb ri ti es

w ho a re h er a dv is er s. W ho h as n ot h ea rd o f t he w on -

d er fu l W iz ar d o f O z, o f t he T in W oo dm an , o f T ik

T ok t he m ac hi ne m an , o f t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, o f

C ar te r G re en t he V eg et ab le M an , o f t he S ol di er w it h

G reen W hi sk er s , o f t he f am ou s l iv e S car ecro w, o f

H er by t he M ed ic in e M an , o f t he C ow ar dl y L io n, t he

H un gr y T ig er , t he D ou bt fu l D ro medary and t he C om -

f or tabl e C am el -and all t he o th er cur i ou s and f a-

m ou s m em be rs o f O zm a' s C ou rt ? A ll o f u s, I g ue ss ,

for t he y h ave m ad e O z k no wn i n e ve ry c ou nt ry i n

a nd o ut o f t he w or ld . Y es , e ve n i n S qu ee do ni a, w hi ch

is thirty-five jumps from the jumping-off place, the

little Squeedoneezers know their hoztry and their

g eo zi fy b y h ea rt . B ut t he y, a nd e ve n y ou , d o n ot

kno w wha t h app ene d l at el y t o O jo i n Oz , s o l is te n

c ar ef ul ly , f or t ha t i s w ha t I a m a bo ut t o t el l y ou .

T o b eg in w it h, i t w as o ne o f t hos e r at he ri sh t im es ,

r at he r t oo la te to pl ay out of doors a nd ra ther t oo

e ar ly f or s upp er , s o Oj o, pi cki ng up a bl ue f ai ry t al e

b oo k, s et tl ed h im se lf b y t he o pe n w in do w o f t he c ot -

t a ge t o r ea d. I n t he ot he r w in dow s at U nc N un ki e,

peacefully smoking his pipe and dreaming of olden

O z t im es . H e w as j us t r ecal li ng w it h cal m s at is fac-

tion a visit he had once made to the King of the



4/216

W hi te M oun ta in s, w he n a s ha rp c la tt er o f h oo fs o n

the usually deserted yellow brick highway gave him

such a st art tha t he bit off the end of his pipe a nd

s pr an g c le ar o ut o f h is c ha ir .

"What?" spluttered Unc Nunkie, thrusting his

he ad out of t he wi ndQ w. Unc , l et me t el l you, ne ve r

u se d t wo w or ds w he re o ne w or d m ig ht a ns we r. Oj o

ha d a lr ea dy f lu ng d ow n h is b oo k a nd s tu ck h is h ea d

out of t he ot he r wi ndow. Thi s i s wha t he s aw: Thr ee

b ig r ic ke ty w ag on s, d ra wn b y t hr ee s le ek b la ck

horses, were rolling toward theEmeraldCity. Cop-

p er p ot s a nd p an s, b ro om s a nd k et tl es w er e t ie d t o

t he w ag on b ac ks a nd j in gl ed a nd b an ge d t re me n-

d ou sl y as t he h or ses t r ot ted alo ng . S wart hy -s ki nn ed

g au di ly d re ss ed m en a nd w om en r od e o n t he d ri ve rs

s e at s, a nd f ro m w in do ws c ut i n t he w ag on s' s id es

b ri gh t- ey ed chi ld ren p eered cur io us ly o ut at t he

pleasant countryside. Behind the first wagon trotted

a s mall d us ty l it tl e d on key; s ev er al s po tt ed d og s r an

be ne at h t he s ec on d; b ut t o t he t hi rd a n e no rm ou s

br own bea r w as f as te ne d by a c ha in. To ke ep pa ce

w it h t he h or se , h e h ad t o g o s o u nc om fo rt ab ly f as t

t ha t O jo c ou ld h ea r h im p an t w it h r ag e a nd e xh au s-

tion.

" Oh ! O h! L oo k, t hey' re com in g h er e! " s cr eamed

t he b oy , alm os t t um bl in g o ut o f t he w in do w. " I n ev er



5/216

s aw w ag on s l ik e t ha t b ef or e. W ho a re t he y, U nc

an d w he re d o t he y c om e f ro m? "

"Gypsies!" choked the old Munchkin, slamming

d ow n h is w in do w a nd f as te ni ng t he l oc k w it h a s ha rp

snap.

" Bu t w hat are g yp si es ?" d em an ded O jo , w ho n ev er

h i s w hol e Oz l if e ha d s ee n or he ar d o f s uc h p eopl e.

I ns te ad o f a ns we ri ng , U nc . j er ke d w ha t w as l ef t o f

h is p ip e t ow ar d t he t hr ee car eeni ng w ag on s; t hen,

p ul li ng n er vo us ly at h is l on g w hi te b eard , h e s tr od e

o ve r t o O jo 's w in dow a nd s hu t t ha t t oo .

" but wh er e do t he y c om e f ro m, w he re d o t he y go ,

a nd W ha t d o t he y d o? " p er si st ed h is n ep he w, p re ss -

i ng h is n os e a ga in st t he w in do w p an e. " Oh , l oo k,

t hey' re s to pp in g! I b el ieve t hey' re g oi ng t o cam p i n

t h at m ea do w o ve r t he re . I b el ie ve t he y l iv e i n t ho se

wa gons a ll the ti me a nd t ra ve l a ll ove r Oz l ike pe d-

dl er s. An d s ee , t ha t ma n o n t he f ir st w agon h as a

f id dl e a nd t ha t o th er o ne a n a cc or di on . O h, U ne , m ay

I g o o ve r a nd w at ch t he m u np ac k? " W it h a f ur io us

s ha ke of hi s he ad U nc Nun ki e r us he d o ut o f t he

r oo m. I n t he d oo rw ay h e p au se d.

"Rascals!" he wheezed, wagging his white beard

s ol em nl y, and s oo n O jo h eard h im l ocki ng w in do ws

a nd d oo rs a ll o ve r t he h ou se . T hi s w as c er ta in ly u n-



6/216

u su al , f or ne ve r s inc e t he y ha d c om e t o l iv e i n t he

li tt le g reen cot tage h ad t hey b ol ted a s in gl e w in do w

o r d oo r.

" Bo th er at io n! " m ut tered O jo , v ex ed at U nc N un -

k ie 's s tr an ge b eh av io r. ' Wh y a ll t hi s f us s o ve r a

f ew t ravelers ? T hey l oo k j us t l ik e o th er p eo pl e, o nl y

gayer." With lively curiosity he watched the chil-

d ren t um bl in g o ut o f t he car ts , t he m en u nh ar ness -

i ng t he h or se s a nd s ta rt in g t o g at he r w oo d f or f ir es .

T he b ea r' s c ha in w as pa dl oc ke d a rou nd a hu ge oa k

a nd h e i mm ed ia te ly b eg an t o r ub h is b ac k u p a nd

down the bark, grumbling and scolding to himself

i n s uc h a c om ic al w ay t ha t O jo b ur st o ut l aug hi ng .

H e wa s s o bus y w at chi ng t he gyp si es t ha t he di d

n ot k no w U nc N un ki e h ad c om e b ac k u nt il h e f el t

himself seized by both shoulders. Turning him away

fr om t he w in do w, U nc l oo ked ear nest ly d ow n i nt o

h i s eyes.

"Not!" cautioned the old gentleman, shaking his

long finger under Ojo's nose. Then without waiting

f or O jo t o a ns we r he w as o ff a ga in. Th is t ime Oj o

h ea rd t he d oo r s la m, a nd r un ni ng t o t he b ac k w in -

dow saw Unc Nunkie determinedly marching down

t he ga rd en p at h. A t t he e nd o f t he ga rd en wa s t he

gr ea t g re en w al l o f t he E me ra ld C it y a nd i n t he w al l

w as a s ma ll d oo r l ea di ng d ir ec tl y i nt o t he r oy al p ar k



7/216

of O zm a' s cast l e.

"I s up po se h e i s g oi ng t o t el l O zm a t ha t g yps ie s

a re c am pe d ou ts ide t he c it y w al ls . A nd I s upp os e he

mea ns I am not to go out of the house ," sighed Ojo

r eg retf ul ly . " Wh at h ar m i s t here i n t hat? O h, w el l, "

h e c on cl ud ed s en si bl y, " I c an s ti ll l oo k ou t o f t he

w id ow ." S o, s eati ng h im self i n U nc N un ki e' s g reat

a rm c ha ir , he r es te d hi s e lb ow s o n t he s il l a nd w it h

growing interest and excitement watched the gypsies

p repari ng t heir cam p f or t he n ig ht .

T he m en h ad alr eady s tart ed t he f ir e. A n i mm en se

i ro n p ot o n a h ug e i ro n c ra ne w as s wi ng in g o ve r t he

f lames and w hi le t he w om en h ur ri ed b ack and f or th

b etw een t he w ag on s and t he caul dr on , p repari ng

w ha t a pp ea re d t o b e a n e no rm ou s s te w, t he g yp sy

m an w it h t he f id dl e l ol led again st a con veni en t b ou l-

d er a nd s tr uc k u p a w il d a nd l il ti ng m el od y. T he

r ag ge d, b la ck -e ye d c hi ld re n b eg an t o s ki p a nd h op

a bo ut t he f ir e a nd , t o O jo 's d el ig ht a nd a ma ze me nt ,

t he b ea r s to pp ed s cr at ch in g h is b ac k a nd , r ai si ng u p

o n h is h in d l eg s w al tzed g ravely and g racefu ll y t o

a nd f ro , h ol di ng u p h is c ha in s o t ha t h e w ou ld n ot

t rip over it. One of the older girls and one of the

b oy s s nat ch ed cast anet s f r om t hei r p ocket s and

joined in the dance, leaping, springing and gesturing



8/216

s o m er ri ly t ha t Oj o' s f ee t be ga n t o t ap t he f loo r. T he

c a st an et s, n ow h ig h, n ow l ow , s ee me d t o b e r ea ll y

talking, laughing, teasing, daring him to come across

t he r oa d a nd j oi n in the f un. I t wa s a ll s o di ffe re nt

and jolly that Ojo, without half realizing it, found

hi ms el f at t he f ro nt d oo r.

"I 'l l jus t ope n i t a l itt le bit s o I c an he ar t he mus ic

b et ter, " t ho ug ht O jo t o h im self . H e h on es tl y m eant

t o f ol lo w U nc N un ki e' s i ns tr ucti on s, b ut n o s oo ner

ha d he s tuc k hi s no se o ut si de t he doo r t ha n o ne o f

t h e g yp sy w om en b ecko ned t o h im coaxi ng ly . S he

ha d a n e mp ty w at er b uc ke t i n h er ha nd s a nd O jo ,

f eeli ng t hat even U nc N un ki e w ou ld n ot w an t any -

o ne t o go t hi rs ty , r an a cr os s t he r oa d, s ei ze d t he

bu cke t a nd i n a j if fy r et ur ne d i t, f ul l t o t he br im .

"Thank you! Thank you!" smiled the woman,

s ho wi ng a d ou bl e r ow o f s park li ng w hi te t eeth . S he

w as y ou ng a nd h an ds om e i n a b ol d a nd d ar k- ey ed

fashion, with flying black curls and enormous hooped

e ar ri ng s. S he w or e a b ri gh t r ed h an dk er ch ie f o n h er

he ad , a f ul l y el lo w s ki rt , a b la ck v el ve t j ac ke t a nd

s o m an y b ra ce le ts t ha t O jo c ou ld n ot e ve n c ou nt

t he m. As s he t ur ne d ba ck t o t he f ir e a w ri nk le d ol d

crone came hurrying toward him.

" H ow w ou ld t he y ou ng g en tl em an l ik e t o k no w h is

f o rt un e?" i nq ui red t he o ld g yp sy , s id li ng u p t o O jo



9/216

l ik e a c ra b. " Le t N oma r ea d yo ur p al m, " s he w he e-

d le d c oa xi ng ly . " Kn ow a ll t he s ec re ts o f t he p as t

and future!"

O jo l oo ke d d ou bt fu ll y a cr os s t he r oa d, f or h e h ad

l ef t t he d oor o f t he c ot ta ge w id e o pe n. T he n, a s t he .

o ld w om an con ti nu ed t o m um bl e and m ut ter, h is

cur io si ty g ot t he b et ter o f h is j ud gm en t and t hr us t-

i ng out hi s h and he be gge d h er t o g o a he ad. " No t

h ere! N ot h er e! " g ru nt ed N om a, h ol di ng h im f as t

by t he wr ist " Come t o my wa gon. The re i t i s qui et ,

a nd n o o ne w il l h ea r u s. " T he f id dl er h ad s to pp ed

p la yi ng a nd w as l oo ki ng f ix ed ly a t O jo a nd , a s t he

t at tered g yp sy chi ld ren cro wd ed r ou nd t he l it tl e

Mu nc hk in , t he b ro wn b ea r b eg an t o g ro wl a nd r oa r

a nd j er k a t hi s c ha in.

" Be o ff !" h e s cr eamed cro ss ly . " Be o ff , y ou l it tl e

idiot! Here are thieves, robbers, cutthroats, villains!"

A c ra ck o ve r t he h ea d wi th a p ie ce of b la zi ng f ir e-

w oo d s il enc ed t he v al ia nt b ea r a nd O jo , wh o w as by

t hi s t im e q ui te r ea dy a nd a nx io us t o t ak e t o h is h ee ls ,

found himself being drawn quickly toward the far-

th es t o f t he wa go ns . I n s pi te o f he r gr ea t a ge , N om a

wa s a s s tr on g a nd s tu bb or n a s a d on ke y.

" Oh , w el l, " t ho ug ht O jo , t oo p ro ud t o s tr ug gl e and

l et t he g yp sy c hi ld re n s ee t ha t h e c ou ld n ot e sc ap e



10/216

f ro m t he d et er mi ne d o ld w om an , " as s oo n a s m y f or -

t une i s t ol d, I 'l l s lip off a nd be home be for e Unc

misses me."

Ro ug hl y con st ru ct ed s teps h ad b een l et d ow n f ro m

the wa gons , a nd up t he s te ps of the la st one t he old

g yp sy p us he d O jo . I ns id e, i t w as l ik e a s ma ll o ne -

r oo m h ou se a nd , t ho ug h h e w as a nx io us a nd t ro u-

b le d, t he b oy c ou ld n ot h el p t hi nk in g h ow g ra nd i t

m us t be t o r ove a ll ov er Oz i n t hi s ga y a nd c ar ef re e

f as hi on . H e h ad even l os t s om e o f h is n er vo us ness ,

f or N om a h ad d ro pp ed h is h an d. L ig ht in g a l an tern

s us pe nde d by a l ong c ha in f rom t he t op o f t he w ag-

on, s he mot ioned for hi m t o s it down. This he di d

o n a t hr ee-l eg ged s to ol . F ir st d rawi ng t he cur tain s

a t t he ba ck of t he wa gon, Noma s eat ed he rs el f on a

s to ol o pp os it e O jo a nd , t ak in g h is h an d i n h er o wn ,

l oo ked craft il y u p i nt o h is f ace.

"What does the young gentleman call himself?"

she demanded inquisitively. Reflecting that he never

cal led h im self at all , t he M un ch ki n b oy s tated w it h

a smile that his name was Ojo. His answer had a

m os t amazi ng eff ect o n t he o ld w om an . S pr in gi ng u p

w it h a s cr ea m, s he bo und ed o ut t he ba ck o f t he c ar t

a nd b eg an s ho ut in g t o t he o th er s i n ha rs h n as al

s q ue al s. O jo c ou ld n ot u nd er st an d w ha t s he w as

s cr eami ng , f or s he w as u si ng t he s tr an ge and u nf a-



11/216

m il iar t on gu e o f t he g yp si es . B ut h e w as t ho ro ug hl y

al ar me d a nd t hi nk in g t hi s a g oo d t im e t o e sc ap e h e

d as he d t o t he f ro nt o f t he w ag on , c li mb ed o ve r t he

s e at a nd j um pe d b et we en t he e mp ty s ha ft s. H ow -

e ve r, t hi s o nl y p lu mpe d h im i n t he c en te r of t he

c ro wd o f g yp sy c hi ld re n w ho h ad g at he re d r ou nd t he

w ag on d et er mi ne d t o h ea r 0 jo 's f or tu ne a nd g et

something for themselves if possible.

T he re w er e p er ha ps a d oz en o f t he l it tl e r as ca ls

a nd a lt ho ug h O jo c ou ld f ig ht a s w el l a s a ny o th er l ad

o f t en , h e w as h op el es sl y o ut nu mb er ed . T he l ar gest

o f t he boys t or e a ll t he g ol d bu tt ons f ro m h is c oa t,

t he s ma ll es t c ut o ff h is g ol d s ho e b uc kl es w it h a s ha rp

k ni fe. O ne o f t he g ir ls s natched h is w hi te r uf fed col -

l ar , a no th er s ei ze d h is h at , s tr ip pe d o ff a ll t he g ol d

bells trimming its edges and jammed it savagely

d ow n o ve r h is n os e.

Dr ag gi ng a t h is h at w it h o ne h an d, O jo s tr uc k o ut

m an fu ll y w it h t he o th er , j us t m an ag in g t o k eep h is

f ee t. Bu t h is c oa t w as s oon t or n t o r ibb on s, a nd h e

h im self w ou ld h av e f ar ed b ad ly i nd eed, h ad n ot t he

gy ps y m an w it h t he f id dl e r us hed f or ward and cuf f-

i n g t he c hi ld re n r ig ht a nd l ef t g ra bb ed O jo b y t he

s h ou ld er . O jo h ad b een s o b us y d ef en di ng h im self

t ha t h e h ad n ot n ot ic ed t he s ud de n t um ul t a nd c on -



12/216

f us ion i n t he gyp sy c am p. No w, a s he w as j er ke d

u ncer em on io us l y t ow ar d t he s econ d w ag on , h e s aw

with sinking heart that the gypsies were stamping

o ut t he f ir e, b ac ki ng t he h or se s b et we en t he s ha ft s,

tossing their belongings hurriedly back into the carts,

screaming at the children, and showing every indi-

cation of immediate departure.

Fl ung l ike a s ac k of po ta toe s i nt o t he w ag on , O jo

ha d j us t t im e t o r ol l ov er a nd s it up, wh en t he gr ea t

b ro wn be ar w as d ri ve n u p t he s te ps a nd s ho ve d

through the curtains. The steps were flung violently

aft er h im . T hr ou gh t he cur tain s h un g acr os s t he

fr on t o f t he w ag on O jo c ou ld s ee t wo f ig ur es a lr ea dy

o n t he s ea t, a nd a s t he b ea r, g ru mb li ng a nd s co ld in g

and r at tl in g h is chain , s et tl ed d ow n o pp os it e h im , t he

g yp sy d ri ve r s to od u p a nd s na pp ed h is l on g w hi p.

Th e w ago n g av e a gr ea t l ur ch a nd a t br ea kne ck

s pe ed w en t c ar ee ni ng o ve r t he u ne ve n m ea do w t o-

w ar d t he y el lo w b ri ck h ig hw ay . F ro m t he n oi se and

r a tt le b eh in d t he m, O jo k ne w t he o th er w ag on s w er e

f ol lo wi ng , and alm os t t oo s tart led and h or ri fi ed t o

s pe ak h e s ta re d w il dl y a cr os s a t h is d an ge ro us l oo k-

ing travelling mate.

"Well!" snarled the bear, snapping his little eyes

t emp er is hl y. " Yo u can 't s ay I d id n' t w ar n y ou , l it tl e

s of t h ead! W hy d id n' t y ou r un ?"



13/216

N ow m os t o f y ou w ou ld t hi nk i t s ur pr is in g t o h ea r

a be ar ta lk, but i n Oz a ll the a ni ma ls ta lk a s e as il y

a nd f lu en tl y a s t he pe op le , s o t ha t O jo wa s n ot s ur -

p ri se d a t t he b ea r' s s pe ec h - o nl y t er ri bl y d ep re ss ed .

F or o f c ou rs e t he b ea r w as r ig ht . W hy i n j ig ge ra ti on

h ad h e n ot r un a t t he c re at ur e' s f ir st o ut cr y? W hy

h ad h e n ot m in ded U nc N un ki e and s tayed p eacefu ll y

at h om e?

"A fi ne f ix you' re in now, we nt on t he be ar , r ai s-

i ng h is v oi ce a s t he y s wa ye d a nd r at tl ed d ow n t he

yellow brick highway. "A fine fix!" Running his paw

a ro un d h is c ol la r, w hi ch s ee me d t o b e t ig ht a nd u n-

comfortable, he blinked mournfully over at Ojo.

" Ho w abo ut y ou rs elf ?" r et or t ed t he b oy , t oo m is -

e ra bl e t o c ar e w he th er h e o ff en de d t he be ar o r no t.

" Th ey s eem t o h av e cau gh t y ou , t oo !"

"Humph! Hemph! Kerumpf!" muttered the great

b ea st , l oo ki ng s ha rp ly a t O jo . " Th at w as l on g a go ,

m y b oy . W el l, w e a ll m ak e m is ta ke s, " h e a dd ed u n-

h appi ly, " and I ha d n o one t o w ar n m e of gyps ie s.

Blackenblueberries! What a life it's been, dancing

a nd b eggi ng a t f ai rs a t t he be ck a nd c al l of t he se

good-for-nothing villains! Never a moment's liberty

no r e no ug h t o e at . N ot hi ng b ut b lo ws a nd i ll t re at -

m en t i n p ay ment f or f ai th fu l s er vi ce. T he b ear ' s



14/216

app ear an ce cert ai nl y b or e o ut h is s or r ow fu l s t or y,

fo r un de r h is f ur Oj o c oul d s ee e ve ry one of hi s r ibs .

" Bu t w ha t d o t he y w an t w it h m e? " g as pe d t he b oy ,

t er ri fi ed a ~u ch a p ro sp ec t. " I c an no t d an ce a nd I

have nothing to give them-now." Turning out his

p o ck et s a nd t hu mp in g h is t or n c oa t a nd b lo us e, O jo

l oo ke d f or lo rn ly a cr os s a t t he b ea r.

"Come here," whispered the bear mysteriously, and

a s O jo c ra wl ed c au ti ou sl y o ve r b es id e h im h e r ea ch ed

out his huge br own pa w. "Ta ke of f your ha t," he di-

rected eagerly.

" Bu t w hy ?" O jo d ragg ed t he h at u pw ar ds w it h

b ot h h an ds , f or i t w as s ti ll w ed ge d d ow n o ve r h is e ar s.

" Wh y?" h e r ep eated, p ul li ng i t o ff w it h a l it tl e ang ry

jerk.

" Becaus e, " w it h a cau ti ou s g lance at t he s hado wy

f ig ur es o n t he d ri ve r' s s ea t, t he b ea r l ea ne d d ow n s o

h e c ou ld s pe ak d ir ec tl y i nt o O jo 's e ar , " be ca us e t he re

i s a p ri ce o n y ou r h ea d! " h e c on fi de d d ar kl y. " He re ,

le t m e s ee !"

C HA PT ER 2

Snufferbux, the Bear



15/216

" A P RI CE o n m y he ad ?" g as pe d Oj o, a lm os t t oo

as to ni sh ed t o b el ieve h is o wn ears .

" It 's not t he re now ," m umb le d t he be ar i n a d is -

appointed voice, after running his paw carefully all

o ver O jo 's t ou sl ed b lack h ai r. " Bu t I d is ti nctl y h eard

Zi the ro s ay t he re w as a p ri ce on yo ur h ea d, a nd t he y

c ame a ll t he wa y t o t he Eme ral d C it y wi th t he e x-

p ress p ur po se o f s teal in g a M un ch ki n b oy n am ed

Ojo."

"That's me, all right!" groaned Ojo dolefully. "And

th e pr ic e w oul dn' t ha ve t o b e m ar ke d on m y h ea d. I t

j us t m ea ns t ha t s om ebo dy i s w il li ng t o p ay t he g yp -

s ie s a g re at d ea l o f m on ey f or m e, " h e e xp la in ed

s o le mn ly , f or O jo h ad r ea d e no ug h s to ri es t o k no w

s om et hi ng abo ut s uch m at ters . " Bu t I can 't s ee

w h y any bo dy w ou ld w an t m e, " h e con ti nu ed h oars e-

l y. " I' m n ot r ic h o r i mp or ta nt or a ny bo dy a t a ll !"

T he e as e w it h w hi ch t he g yp si es h ad s ei ze d a nd c ar -

r ied h im o ff m ad e O jo f eel exceedi ng ly s mall and i n-

significant.

" Th er e, t here! Y ou s eem r eal i mp or tant t o m e, "

murmured the bear consolingly, and putting a huge

a rm a round Oj o he dr ew hi m c los e to hi s s ha ggy f ur .

Snuggling gratefully against him the boy felt some-

w hat r eas s ur ed and com f or t ed .



16/216

" Co ul dn 't w e j um p o ut t he b ack?" h e s ug gest ed

worriedly.

" An d b e c rus he d by t he ne xt w ago n? No us e! "

s ig he d t he b ea r. " Th ey 'd o nl y c at ch a nd s ta rv e u s

f or a we ek. I 've t ri ed i t a ga in a nd a ga in, bu t I 'l l

help y ou all I can ," h e p ro mi sed g ru ff ly .

"A nd I 'l l h el p y ou , t oo ," s ai d O jo , t ry in g t o s pe ak

B ravely . T he l on g O z t wi li gh t w as f as t d rawi ng t o a

c lo se . So on i t w oul d b e d ar k a nd a lr ea dy t he a ir h ad

gr ow n s harp and p en et rati ng . M ov in g clo ser t o t he

k i nd ly b ea r, O jo , a s t he g yp sy w ag on c ar ri ed h im

fart her and f ar th er f ro m f ri en ds and s af et y, w on -

der ed w hat u nk no wn d an gers and exp er iences w er e

i n s tor e f or h im . He c oul d w el l i ma gi ne U nc Nu n-

k ie's f ri gh t and anx iety w hen h e r et ur ned t o f in d t he

l it tl e cot tage emp ty and t he g yp si es g on e. H e cou ld

not help thinking longingly of the chicken pie and

cho co late p ud di ng t hey h ad p lann ed f or s up per.

" Hu ng ry ?" g ro wl ed t he b ear, alm os t as i f h e h ad

g uess ed O jo 's t ho ug ht s. R each in g i n a l eath er n

p ou ch s tr ap pe d a ro un d h is w ai st h e b ro ug ht o ut t wo

s ma ll a ppl es a nd a s ta le bu n. " A l it tl e gi rl ga ve me

these at noontime. Better than nothing," he grunted

c he er fu ll y. H e t ri ed t o g iv e t he m a ll t o O jo , b ut O jo

insisted on dividing the bun and taking the smallest

apple.



17/216

" Wh at d o t he y c al l y ou ?" h e a sk ed p re se nt ly ,

munhing away thoughtfully. "Since we are to be

f ri en ds I o ug ht t o k no w y ou r n am e. "

"T hese r as cals cal l m e ' Ru fu s, ' b ut m y r eal n am e, "

answered the bear, straightening up proudly, "is

Snufforious, Buxorious, Blundorious Boroso!"

"My!" Ojo swallowed with difficulty, for the bun

w as s ta le a nd d ry a s s aw du st . " I' m a fr ai d I c ou ld n' t

r em em ber all t hat, S nu ff or io us , B ux or oh , I s ay , d o

you mi nd if I c all you Snuff er bux, a s a s ort of ni ck-

name?"

" Well ," t he b ear s ou nd ed a b it d ub io us , " it d oesn 't

sound very dignified, but then there is nothing digni-

f ie d a bo ut a f el lo w w ho s pe nd s hi s l if e d an ci ng a t-

t en da nc e a t t he e nd of a c ha in. G o a he ad , c al l m e

anything you like," he finished dejectedly.

" I t hi nk i t' s a j ol ly n am e, " d ec id ed O jo , " an d m ay -

be before long I c an br eak tha t cha in or get a knif e

a nd c ut o ff t ha t c ol la r a nd t he n

" T he n I w ou ld n' t c ar e w ha t y ou c al le d m e, " e x-

claimed Snufferbux, giving Ojo a quick hug. "But

b e car ef ul , m y b oy ," h e cau ti on ed , l ow er in g h is v oi ce.

" Do n ot hi ng t o a ro us e t he t em pe r o f t he se g yp si es .

They are terrible fellows, especially Zithero, the

l ea de r. Ke ep o n t he g oo d s ide o f Z it he ro or y ou 'l l



18/216

be b la ck a nd b lu e, " h e p re di ct ed g lo om il y. I t w as t oo

d ar k even t o d is ti ng ui sh t he f ig ur es o n t he d ri ver' s

s ea t, a nd w it h a l it tl e s hu dd er O jo c re pt c los er t o

S nu ff er 's w ar m c oa t a nd r igh t i n t he m id dl e o f w or -

r yi ng and w on deri ng abo ut h is p ro babl e f at e, f el l

i nt o a s ou nd s lu mb er .

When he awakened everything was still. Snuffer-

b ux wa s a sl ee p on t he f loor of t he wa gon, hi s he ad

o n o ne arm , h is o th er t hr ow n p ro tect in gl y aro un d

O so. T he w ag on h ad s to ppe d a nd t he gy ps ie s o n t he

s ea t w er e a sl ee p, t oo , s lu mp ed w ea ri ly d ow n i n t he ir

places. Slipping noiselessly from the bear's embrace,

O jo p ar te d t he c ur ta ins a t t he b ac k of t he w ag on

L nd p ee re d o ut . I n t he gr ey l ig ht o f e ar ly m or ni ng ,

he s aw a g re at b lu e a nd u nf am il ia r f or es t. H ow t he

g yp si es h ad m an ag ed t o d ri ve t hr ou gh t he d en se

u nd er br us h a nd b et we en t he g na rl ed o ld t re es O jo

c ou ld n ot i ma gi ne , b ut h er e t he y w er e, a ll t hr ee w ag -

o ns d ra wn up s id e b y s id e i n a g lo om y c le ar in g.

T he h or ses d ozed h eavi ly b et ween t he s haft s; t he

l it tl e d on key w as s tr et ch ed o ut f ul l l en gt h u nd er a

tr ee a nd t he re w as n ot a ny whe re a s ign of l ife or

mo ti on . B ut t he m om en ta ry h op e O jo h ad o f e sc ap -

i ng w as i mm ed iately d as hed, f or as h e s wu ng o ne

l eg ove r t he bac k of t he ca rt, one of the s pot te d dogs

a wo ke a nd b eg an t o b ar k f ur io us ly . S te pp in g b ac k



19/216

a s q ui et ly a s p os si bl e, O jo a ga in l ay d ow n b es id e

S nu ff er bu x and clo sed h is eyes, s o t hat w hen Z it hero ,

r ou se d b y t he d og , p ul le d a si de t he c ur ta in s, t he b oy

w as app ar en tl y f as t asl eep. T hr ou gh h al f clo sed l id s

h e w at ch ed t he g yp sy l ea de r r ub h is e ye s a nd c ro ss ly

nudge the young woman beside him. Swinging down

in to t he w ag on h e k icked S nu ff er s av ag el y, j er ked

O jo t o h is f ee t a nd b eg an c al li ng o ut g ru ff o rd er s t o

t he r es t of the band.

Slowly and grumpily the gypsies arose, yawning

and s co ld in g and d es cend ed f ro m t heir f ou r- wh eeled

h om es . T he c hi ld re n, w ho h ad a ll b ee n c ro wd ed i nt o

on e o f t he w ag on s, b eg an h al f- hear tedl y t o col lect

fi rewo od . Z it her o, w it h a q ui ck s ho ve, p ro pel led O jo

roughly toward them.

" Ge t b us y, O jo , o r S lo wj o, o r w ha te ve r t he y c al l

y ou ," r as ped t he l eader i mp at ient ly . " Al l w ho eat

m us t w or k. A nd m in d, n ow , n o r un ni ng o ff , o r- "

Touching the bright scimiter run through his scarlet

b el t Z it hero s napp ed h is b lack eyes w ar ni ng ly at O jo ,

and Ojo hurriedly but most unwillingly joined the

g yp sy chi ld ren. T hey g av e h im n o t ro ub le t hi s m or n-

mg, evidently having received orders from the chief,

but they chattered spitefully together in their own

ton gu e a nd m ad e s uc h a wf ul f ac es a t h im w he n no



20/216

o n e w as l oo ki ng t ha t O jo f el t m is er ab ly o ut o f p la ce

and h eart si ck . T he w om en w er e w ar mi ng u p t he

s te w t he y h ad p re pa re d f or d in ne r t he n ig ht b ef or e.

S nu ff er , f as te ne d t o a s ta ke d ri ve n i n t he g ro un d,

h ad be en gi ve n a b owl of oni ons t o p ee l. W it h t ea rs

pouring down both cheeks he nodded encouragingly

a t Oj o, a nd t ho ugh t he bo y di d not f ee l a t a ll l ike

smiling, he could not help himself.

P ok in g abo ut amo ng t he d am p l eaves i n s earch

o f t wi gs a nd s ma ll b ra nc he s, h e t ri ed t o p la n s om e-

w ay o ut o f h is d read fu l d if fi cu lt ies. S ho ul d h e s peak

u p bo ldl y a nd d ema nd hi s f re edo m, or wa it f or a

l uc ky c ha nc e t o e sc ape . I f h e w ai te d t oo l on g t he

g yp si es w ou ld cer tain ly t ur n h im o ver t o t he u n-

k no wn p er so n w ho h ad o ff er ed t he r ew ar d f or h is

c ap tu re . W ho c ou ld h av e d on e s uc h a t hi ng a nd w hy

d id t hey w an t h im ? W it h all o f t hese q uest io ns b uzz-

i ng r ou nd a nd r ou nd i n h is h ea d, O jo l ea ne d d ow n

t o pi ck up a pi ec e of bi rc h ba rk w he n a gl ea mi ng

metal object caught his attention. Glancing over his

s ho ul de r t o s ee t ha t n on e o f t he c hi ld re n w er e w at ch -

i ng hi m, he qu ic kl y s na tc he d i t u p. I t w as a s ma ll ,

finely made silver whistle, and thrusting it into his

p oc ke t O jo c ar ri ed hi s b und le o f w oo d t o t he f ir e.

" Ha, h a! A nd h ow d oes t he y ou ng g en tl em an l ik e

gypsying?" grinned Noma, who was stirring the



21/216

g reat b lack cau ld ro n w it h a h ug e l ad le. " No th in g

li ke l if e i n t he op en , e h?

" Oh, a gyps y' s li fe i s gay and f re ~

He knows no l aw, no la w knows he;

Th e w id e w or ld i s h is h ea rt h a nd h om e!

The open r oa d is his to roa m;

And wha t he ne eds he t ake s f or a ye,

A n d l et s t he s tu pi d t ow ns man p ay !"

cro ak ed t he o ld w om an , k eepi ng t im e w it h h er l ad le

and leering through the steam like a mischievous

goblin.

" But I d on 't s ee w hy yo u t ook me ," s ai d O jo, s it -

t ing do wn o n a f al le n l og a nd t ryi ng t o s pe ak c al ml y.

Ma yb e, i f h e w er e v er y c ar ef ul a nd p ol it e, N om a

mght tell him something useful. But the old hag

only gave an irritating screech of laughter.

"W e t ook yo u f or a g oo d r ea son , a r ea so n y ou 'l l

know s oon e no ugh . Ha , h a! Wh at a s ur pr is e i s i n

s to re f or y ou ." O jo h ad a d is ti nc t f ee li ng f ro m N o-

m a' s e xp re ss io n t ha t t he s ur pr is e w as g oi ng t o

extremely unpleasant, and throwing caution to the

wi nd s h e j um ped ang ri ly t o h is f eet.

" Yo u h ad b et te r l et m e g o, o r P ri nc es s O zm a w il l



22/216

see tha t you ar e puni she d. She is a fairy a nd a

f ri en d of mi ne a nd r ul er o f a ll Oz . S he wi ll s en d

Une N unkie a nd the a rmy to fi nd m e a nd-"

" No o ne f in ds t he g yp si es, " s qu eal ed N om a, h op -

ping gleefully around the cauldron. "Let them try!

L et t hem t ry !"

" Here, h er e, w hat' s all t hi s?" S tr id in g u p t o t he

fi re, Z it hero s pu n O jo r ou nd b y t he s ho ul der. " Di dn 't

I t el l you to ge t t o wor k? Q uic k now, off wi th you! "

H e ga ve Oj o a s ti ngi ng bl ow on t he e ar t ha t s ent

him sprawling among the gypsy children. Tears

s ta rt ed t o h is e ye s, b ut n ot f or a ny th in g i n O z w ou ld

h e h av e m ad e an o ut cr y. P icki ng h im self u p s lo wl y

a nd p ay in g n o a tt en ti on t o t he j ee rs a nd t au nt s o f

t he r ag ged l it tl e g yp si es , O jo w en t o n g ri ml y and

quietly gathering twigs. He didn't look at Snuffer,

b ut cou ld h ear t he b ear s narl in g and g ro wl in g, and

a s a n oni on f le w pa st hi s he ad a nd c aug ht N oma

s qua re ly on t he nos e, he f el t a l it tl e c he er ed a nd c om -

f o rt ed. W hat ev er h app ened, d eci ded O j o, h e w ou ld

n ev er d es er t t he b ig b ro wn b ea r.

S oo n aft er t hi s, Z in ar o, w if e o f Z it hero , cal led all

of them to come a nd ea t. She was t he one t o whom

O jo h ad b ro ug ht t he pa il of w at er a nd a s s he ha nd ed

h im a h ea pi ng pl at e of s te w w it h a p ie ce o f ye ll ow

g yp sy b read o n t he s id e, s he s mi led alm os t k in dl y



23/216

a t t he f or lo rn b oy . " Oh , m ay be s he w il l h el p m e! "

t ho ugh t Oj o, w ho b y t hi s t im e w as r ea dy t o gr as p a t

an y s tr aw . T he s te w, t ho ug h h ot a nd p ep pe ry , p ut

n ew l if e i nt o t he l it tl e M un ch ki n and w hen h e h ad

finished he diplomatically began to help Zinaro wash

t he t in p lates i n a l it tl e f or es t s tr eam, t hi nk in g all

t he w hi le h ow h e c ou ld be st g o a bou t e nl is ti ng h er

sympathy.

A s O jo d ip pe d t he t hi rd p la te i nt o t he s pa rk li ng

w at er h e h app ene d t o g la nc e a cr os s t he s tr ea m i t-

self. Gingeration! Merciful Munchkins! Behind ev-

e ry gr ea t bl ue t re e o n t he o th er s ide s to od a gi an t

huntsman! But come now, were they huntsmen?

O jo , t re mb li ng i n b ot h k ne es , t oo k a s ec on d l oo k.

Huntsmen, never! They were robbers, brigands,

b an di ts , o ut laws . T he v er y t il t o f t heir f eath er ed

h at s p ro cl ai med t heir t rade. A nd i f t hat w er en 't

eno ug h, each s t ou t r o sy -ch eeked r ascal w as ar med

wi th a l ong s wor d, a s ho rt s wor d, a b il bo ( wh ic h I

mus t t el l you i s a c ur ious ki nd of r api er) a br ac e of

p is to ls and a h icko ry clu b.

The t in p la te s li d out of O jo 's f inge rs , but as he

j um pe d u p t o g iv e t he a la rm t he b an di t n ea re st t he

w at er 's e dge p ut hi s f inge rs t o hi s l ips a nd ga ve O jo

s uc h a m er ry wi nk t ha t t he boy s top pe d i n s pi te of



24/216

h i ms el f. A ft er all , w hy s ho ud h e w ar n t he g yp si es ?

T he y w er e c ru el a nd h ea rt le ss a nd h is s wo rn e n-

e mi es . Z ina ro h ad he r b ac k t o t he s tr ea m a nd a ll t he

o th er m em be rs o f t he b an d w er e s ti ll g at he re d r ou nd

t h e f ir e. S o, clo si ng h is m ou th s tu bb or nl y, O jo

dr oppe d to hi s kne es, pi cked up a t in c up and be gan

n er vo us ly s lo sh in g i t u p and d ow n i n t he w at er . W hat

wo ul d h ap pe n n ex t? W ou ld t he y a ll b e r ob be d a nd

c ap tu re d? M ig ht i t n ot b e p os si bl e i n t he g en er al

confusion for Snufferbux and him to slip away?

No w, w it h m uf fl ed t hu ds and s pl as hes , t he r ob bers

w er e cro ss in g t he s tr eam. A b ri gh t g ol d r in g w it h

a sparkling yellow stone fell with a resounding clink

in to O jo' s c up. F or a mo me nt a h ea vy h and r es te d

o n h is s ho ul der. L oo ki ng u p f earf ul ly , h e m et t he

b lazi ng b lu e eyes o f t he b an di t chi ef . W as t he f el lo w

t ha nki ng him , or wa s he i n a s gr ea t da nge r a s t he

o th er s ? B ef or e O jo cou ld d eci de, t he o ut l aw s , w it h

y el ls , s ho ut s and ear -s pl it t in g s cr eech es , r us hed t o

t he f ir e and f el l u po n t he g yp si es . W it ho ut w ai ti ng

t o s ee h ow i t w oul d e nd, O jo s pr int ed t ow ar d S nuf -

fer' s p os t. S ei zi ng t he h eavy chain h e p ul led, s tr ug -

g led, and t ug ged w it h all h is m ig ht . T he b ro wn b ear

h el ped h im s o v al iant ly t hat b et ween t hem t hey h ad

lo os en ed t he p ol e, w he n a h ef ty b an di t g ra sp ed O jo

r ou nd t he m id dl e, a nd p lu ck in g u p t he p ol e a s i f i t



25/216

had b een a d ai sy , d ragg ed t hem b oi st er ou sl y alo ng

to t he f ir e.

T ru ss ed u p l ik e p ig s o n m ar ke t d ay , Z it he ro a nd

hi s b an d w er e r ang ed i n a ne at r ow b et we en t wo

t re es . O jo w as r el ie ve d t o s ee t ha t n on e o f t he m h ad

b ee n i nj ur ed , a nd a s t he y k ic ke d a nd s tr ug gl ed a nd

c al le d o ut d ir e t hr ea ts a nd a bu se h e c ou ld n ot h el p

feel in g t hat t hey h ad g ot exact ly w hat t hey d es er ved.

T he r ob ber chi ef w as cal ml y l ad li ng o ut w hat w as

l ef t of the st ew t o hi s me n, and as Ojo was dumped

r ou gh ly o n t he g ro un d b es id e h im h e g av e a l it tl e

chuckle of recognition and pleasure.

" N ot t oo r ou gh t he re , T in y! " h e c au ti on ed , a s a

hu ge b an di t w oun d a r ope r oun d a nd r ou nd O jo a nd

t hen s im il ar ly b ou nd u p S nu ff er . " Th is b oy i s a

f ri en d o f m in e. I sn 't t hat s o, l it tl e f el lo w?" O jo w as

t oo b reat hl es s t o ans wer, b ut S nu ff er , s narl in g and

growling, spoke for him.

" A f in e w ay t o t re at a f ri end ," r ag ed t he be ar ,

g ri tt in g h is t eeth i n h el pl es s f ur y. " Wh en I g et l oo se

f ro m h er e I 'l l t ea r y ou i nt o a h un dr ed p ie ce s a nd

t hr ow t he p ieces away. "

"Really!" roared the bandit, staring at Snuffer

w it h b ot h h an ds o n h is h ip s. " D' ye t hi nk I 'd m ake

that many?"



26/216

" I s ee t he po t i s e mp ty. H ow a bou t r oa st ing t he

b ear , R ealb ad ?" b oo med T in y, m ak in g a s ud den

lunge at Snuffer.

" Bear f or b reak fast !" exclaim ed R ealb ad i n m ock

horror. "How distressing, how repelling! You know

I n ev er e at b ea r f or b re ak fa st . B ut h e' ll m ake a

s pl en di d r ug f or t he f am il y c av e. N ow t he n, b oy s,

f al l t o, a nd w he n w e' re f in is he d w e' ll s ee ho w m any

g ol d p ie ce s w e c an s ha ke o ut o f t he se v il la in s. "

M ov in g clo ser t o S nu ff er , w ho h ad t ur ned p al e

u nd er h is f ur a t t he r obb er 's w or ds , O jo c as t c ur iou s

Si de l ong g la nc es up a t Re al ba d a s he d ow ne d t he

g yp si es ' s tew w it h evi dent r el is h. I n s pi te o f h is

t hr eats , O jo cou ld n ot h el p h av in g a f eeli ng o f f ri en d

l in es s f or t he h ig h and h an ds om e o ut law. H e s eemed

u tt er ly u nl ik e t he o th er m em bers o f h is b ur ly r ob ber

b and , a nd i n h is r ou gh s ui t o f bl ue l ea th er , h is gr ea t

b o ot s a nd f ea th er ed h at , h e l oo ke d m or e d is ti n-

guished than the finest gentlemen at Ozina's court.

" It 's t he w ay h e s ta nd s, " d ec id ed O jo , s tr ai gh te n-

i ng up u nd er t he r op es pi ni oni ng h is a rm s t o h is s id e.

H e h ad i mm ed iately s li pp ed R ealb ad 's r in g o n h is

f in ger and l oo ki ng d ow n at i t anx io us ly h e w on dered

w he th er h e w as g oi ng t o b e s af er w it h t he b an di ts

than with the gypsies.

" We g o f ro m b ad t o w or se !" g ro an ed S nu ff er d e-



27/216

s po nd en tl y, as R ealb ad , f in is hed at l as t w it h h is

b reakf as t , b ad e h is m en b ri ng t he capt iv es n ear er

the fire.

"Watch closely there, little splinter!" he called with

a g oo d- na tu re d g ri n a t O jo . " Wa tc h c lo se ly a nd s ee

how w e ba ndi ts w or k, f or ' pon m y s wo rd hi lt , I 'm

mi nde d t o ma ke a ba ndi t o f you ! A ba d b us ine ss ,

y ou t hi nk ? B ut w ai t t il l y ou 'v e t ri ed i t. H o,

" I' m R ea lb ad , t he ba nd it , a nd r ea l b ad a m I ,

And I 'll have wha t I wa nt i n the wink of a n e ye !"

h e s ho ut ed , s lapp in g h is s wo rd g ai ly again st h is

boot.

F as ci na te d, O jo w at ch ed t he r ob be rs a t w or k. O ne

a t a t im e t he g yp si es w er e d ra gg ed f or wa rd , u nt ie d,

t ho ro ug hl y s earched and s haken, and s ecur ely b ou nd

u p a ga in . S oo n a h ea p o f b ra ce le ts , r in gs , c op pe r

c oi ns a nd o th er o dd s a nd e nd s w hi ch t he g yp si es h ad

s to le n i n t he c ou rs e o f t he ir w an de ri ng s, l ay a t R ea l-

b ad 's f ee t. T he w om en a nd c hi ld re n w er e n ot m o-

lested, and as Realbad himself went methodically

t hr ou gh t he p oc ke ts o f Z it he ro t he r es t o f t he r ob be rs

w en t o ff t o i nv es ti gate t he w ag on s. Z it hero 's s ho rt

c oa t a nd s as h w er e l in ed w it h gol d pi ec es a nd a s t he y

f el l r in gi ng t o t he g ro un d h e s narl ed and s napp ed

li ke a d og . B ut cal ml y and u nh ur ri ed ly R ealb ad con -



28/216

ti nu ed h is s ea rc h. I n a n i nn er p oc ke t o f t he g yp sy

l e ad er 's b lo us e h e f ou nd a s ma ll f ol de d p ie ce o f

parchment. Holding the squirming rascal in one

h an d h e f li pp ed o pen t he p ar ch ment w it h t he o th er .

O jo s aw h is e ye s s na p a nd k in dl e w it h e xc it em en t

a s he r ea d.

"Slayrum! Boldoso! Tiny!" roared the bandit,

wa vi ng Z it he ro a s i f he w er e a f la g. " Co me h er e!

C om e b ac k! Q ui ck ly !" W he n t he t hr ee b an di ts a r-

r ive d p an ti ng a t t he f ir e i n a ns we r t o h is b oo mi ng

summons, he triumphantly held up the parchment,

r eadi ng i t o ut t o t hem i n a h ig h, j ub il an t v oi ce:

"W ho ev er b ri ng s t he b oy , Q jo , t o M oo je r M ou n-

tain within twenty moons shall receive five thousand

b ag s o f s ap ph ir es . N o q ue st io ns a sk ed o r a ns we re d. "

"Leave all this trash!" commanded Realbad, giv-

in g t he h ea p a t h is f ee t a n i mpa ti en t k ic k. " He re

i s o ur r ea l b oo ty !" H e s we pt hi s a rm i n t he d ir ec ti on

of O jo . " Thi s i s no gyp sy. Thi s i s O jo. Boy, you ha ve

b ro ug ht m e l uck! T he g yp si es h av e s to len y ou h op -

i ng f or t he r ewa rd. But now we ha ve you a nd s ha ll

c ol le ct i t o ur se lv es . P ut t he t re as ur e i n t he s ac k,

T i ny , a nd l et u s a wa y t o t hi s M oo je r M ou nt ai n.

"What treasure?" asked Tiny, blinking his eyes

s tup id ly , f or h e ha d o nl y un de rs to od h al f o f w ha t h e

h ad h ear d .



29/216

"T he b oy , d um bh ead, t he b oy !" r oar ed R eal bad.

" He i s o ur t re as ur e, g oo d a s g ol d, o nl y b et te r. F iv e

t ho us an d b ag s o f s ap ph ir es . W ha t a d ay 's w or k t hi s

is!"

"I w on 't c om e! I w on 't c om e ! " s cr ea me d O jo , k ic k-

i ng o ut f ur io us ly as S layr um s tart ed t o l if t h im i nt o

t he g reat s ack h an gi ng f ro m T in y' s b ro ad s ho ul ders .

B ut e ve n a s h e s cr ea me d, h e w as t um bl ed h ea dl on g

i nt o t he d ar k l ea th er b ag a nd f el l c ho ki ng a nd s ob -

b in g t o t he bo tt om . T he n, m or e g en tl y, h e ' fe lt h im -

s el f d ra wn u pw ar d a nd h is h ea d w as p ul le d t hr ou gh

t he o pe ni ng a t t he t op o f t he s ac k.

"W el l, w el l! I t ho ug ht y ou w er e a b rave f el lo w, "

w hi sp er ed R ealb ad , w ip in g O jo 's t ears o n h is o wn

f in e h an dk er ch ief. " Co me, com e! A b oy w or th f iv e

t ho us an d s ac ks o f s ap ph ir es n ee d n ot c ry a bo ut a ny -

thing." Fastening the string of the sack gently

a bo ut O jo 's s ho ul de rs , R ea lb ad g av e h im a h ea rt y

s la p o n t he ba ck a nd t ur ne d q ui ckl y t o h is m en.

" Co me ! C om e, a ll o f y ou ! B ri ng t he b ea r, S la y-

rum," he commanded gruffly. Then sweeping off his

h at , R eal bad b ow ed m ocki ng ly t o t he g yp si es . " Fare-

well, gentlemen!" he called gaily. "Gentlemen, fare-

well!"

L eapi ng eas il y acr os s t he s mal l b ro ok h e s t ar ted



30/216

swiftly off through the blue forest, followed closely

b y T in y w it h O jo i n t he s ack, S layr um d ragg in g

S nu ff er b y h is c ha in , a nd t he t hr ee a nd t we nt y o th er

grinning and perspiring outlaws.

C HA PT ER 3

I n t he B an di ts ' C av e

AS Ojo bumped up a nd down in t he sac k on Tiny's

s ho ul de r, h e t ri ed t o c ol le ct h is s ca tt er ed w it s

a nd s um mo n b ac k h is c ou ra ge . W he re w as t hi s

M oo jer M ou nt ai n, and w ho h ad o ff er ed t hi s i mm en se

r ew ar d f or h is capt ur e? H e w as b it ter ly d is ap po in ted

i n R ea lb ad , f or a t f ir st h e h ad f el t t ha t t he h an ds om e

out la w w as h is f ri en d. I f h e h ad o nl y n ot f ou nd t ha t

m is er ab le p ar ch ment o ff er in g t he b ag s o f j ew el s, t he

r ob ber chi ef m ig ht r eall y h av e l et h im j oi n t he b an d.

L if e i n t he b lu e f or es t w ou ld h av e b een excit in g and

n ew , a nd w ha t t al es h e c oul d h av e c ar ri ed b ac k t o

U nc N un ki e and h is f ri en ds i n t he E merald C it y!

N ow e ve ry th in g w as r ui ne d, h e w ou ld b e t ak en t o

Moojer Mountain and dumped down like merchandise

f or f iv e t ho us an d s acks o f t reas ur e. B ut w hy s ho ul d



31/216

any on e p ay t hat m uch f or a s im pl e, u ni mp or tant

l it tl e M un chk in ? T ry a s he w ou ld O jo c ou ld n ot u n-

de rs ta nd i t a nd a s t he m ys te ry s oon m ad e hi s h ea d

ac he he g ave i t up f or t he t im e be ing a nd lo oke d

s ha rpl y t o t he r ig ht a nd l ef t f or s ig ns or l an dm ar ks

i n ca se he shoul d be a ble t o e sc ape .

Th e f or es t w as o ld a nd b ea ut if ul . N ow a nd t he n

a r ab bi t wo ul d s cur ry a cr os s t he ir p at h o r a d ee r l oo k

inquisitively out through the shadowy tree trunks.

I n t he b ranches o verh ead, b lu ej ays and o th er b ir ds

k ep t u p a n i nc es sa nt c ha tt er , a nd t he b an di ts , a s t he y

t ru dg ed a lo ng , b aw le d o ut s o c he er y a s on g t ha t i t

was difficult to believe they were really such villains.

P ro dd ed b y B ol do so a nd j er ke d a lo ng b y S la yr um ,

Snufferbux shuffled unwillingly at the end of his

chain, letting out from time to time heart-rending

g r o wl s and r oars . S ev er al t im es ans weri ng r oars

c am e b ac k, a s i f s om e o f t he f ou r- fo ot ed f or es t f ol k

s aw and s ym path ized w it h h is p redi cament b ut w er e

to o a fr ai d o f t he r obb er s' g un s t o c om e t o hi s a ss is t-

a nc e. A ft er a n h ou r' s t ra mp , t he f or es t g re w l es s

d ens e, g reat r ocky cl eari ng s m ade t hei r app ear an ce,

a nd O jo n ot ic ed t ha t t he r oc ks w er e m ar ke d w it h

s tr an ge b lu e cro ss es and f ig ur es . H ur ry in g acr os s

t he t hi rd clear in g, t he b an di ts m ad e t heir w ay t ow ar d



32/216

a h ug e t um bl e o f i mp as sabl e b ou ld er s. O jo , s qu in t-

i ng o ve r T in y' s s ho ul de r, c ou ld s ee n o b re ak o r p as s

i n t he s la ty b ar ri er , y et R ea lb ad h ad a lr ea dy d is ap -

p eared and , n ex t t hi ng , T in y h im self h ad s tepp ed

a ro un d a g re at j ut ti ng r oc k a nd s ta rt ed g ai ly d ow n

a s to ne p as sa ge wa y. T he p as sa ge w en t d ow n a nd

t he n u p, c om in g ou t a t l as t i nt o a n i mm en se a nd

r ug ge d c av er n. O pe n t o t he s ky o n o ne e nd, p ro -

t ec te d by i ts b lue c ry st al r oo f on t he o th er , i t w as a s

s nu g a nd c om fo rt ab le a hi de -a wa y a s t he h ea rt o f a

woodsman could wish for.

A l on g, r ou gh t ab le o f l og s r an d ow n t he c en te r,

w it h l og b en ch es o n e it he r s id e f or t he b an di ts . B ea r-

s ki n r ug s w er e s pr ea d o ve r t he p ol is he d s to ne f lo or s;

t he h ea ds o f d ee r, e lk a nd o th er l ar ge a ni ma ls p ro ve d

t he r ob be rs t o b e d ou gh ty h un te rs . A n e no rm ou s

s to ne f ir ep la ce t ook u p o ne e nt ir e e nd of t he c av e a nd

al on g t he edg es w er e r an ged l on g chest s evi dent ly

co nt ai ni ng t he clo th es and b oo ty o f t he b an di ts . W it h

a h ug e y aw n a nd s tr et ch , R ea lb ad u ns tr ap pe d h is

g un a nd l et i t s li de t o t he f lo or , a nd l ea ni ng f or wa rd

s et f ir e t o t he l ogs .

"W el l, C hi ef , s hall I l ock u p t he t reas ur e?" g ru nt ed

T in y, s wi ng in g t he s ac k a nd O jo d ow n t o t he h ea rt h.

"That depends," murmured Realbad, blowing up

t he f lames w it h a h ug e b el lo ws .



33/216

"Brr-rah! Brr-ruh!" rumbled Snufferbux threat-

e ni ng ly , a s h e w as p us he d a nd p ro dd ed i nt o t he c av e.

" Bear ! B ear! " R ealb ad j um ped u p clapp in g b ot h

ha nd s t o h is e ar s. " Do m e a f avo r, w on 't yo u? St op

r oari ng w it h ang er t il l y ou 'v e s om et hi ng t o b e ang ry

a bo ut . I t' s a s he er w as te o f s av ag er y. "

" We ll , do y ou e xp ec t m e t o r oa r w it h l au gh te r

a t t he p ro sp ec t o f b ec om in g a r ug ?" s na rl ed S nu f-

f er , r ol li ng h is e ye s w il dl y. " Do y ou e xpe ct m e t o

s ta nd a ro un d a nd gr in w hi le t hi s p oo r c hi ld i s l oc ke d

up in a chest -- or worse?"

" Never w or ry abo ut a t hi ng u nt il i t h ap pens ?" ad-

vised Realbad, snapping his fingers under Snuffer's

n os e. " We 've a ll ha d a l ong ma rc h, l et 's s it dow n a nd

r es t a nd t al k m at te rs o ve r. N ow , a s t o t he t re as ur e,

l et us s ee !" J er ki ng O jo f rom t he s ac k, R ea lb ad s et

hi m no t un ge nt ly o n t he f lo or . " Sh al l I l oc k y ou u p,

or wil l you give me your wor d of honor not t o run

away?"

" W hy s ho ul dn 't I r un a wa y? " d em an de d O jo , i n a

somewhat shaky but nevertheless determined voice.

" Yo u are h ol di ng m e again st m y w il l and i nt en d t o

ex ch an ge m e f or f iv e t ho us an d s acks o f s ap ph ir es .

Why s ho ul dn' t I t ry t o e sc ap e i f I c an? "

"Why, indeed?" agreed Realbad, rubbing his hands



34/216

together with evident enjoyment. "Well," he con-

t in ued j ov iall y, " I' ll t el l y ou w hy . I t w il l b e p leas -

a n te r i f y ou d on 't , f or o ne t hi ng . J us t p ro mi se n ot

t o r un of f a nd you s ha ll s it by th e f ir e, e at , r es t a nd

be me rr y. O f c ou rs e, i f y ou pr ef er t o l ie a t t he

b ot to m o f a d ar k c he st , t ha t i s y ou r o wn a ff ai r. "

"Promise nothing," growled Snuffer warningly.

O jo l oo ke d f ro m o ne t o t he o th er , h ar dl y k no wi ng

wha t t o s ay. Th en, a s T iny m ade a qui ck gr ab f or

h im , h e m ov ed c lo se r t o R ea lb ad .

"All right, I promise," he said stiffly.

" Goo d, l et 's s ha ke o n i t. " R ea lb ad h ad t o b en d

al mo st d ou bl e t o r ea ch O jo 's h an d. " An d I p ro mi se

no ha rm s ha ll c om e t o y ou w hi le yo u a re i n t hi s

cave," he said, straightening up with his flashing

smile.

"How about Snufferbux?" asked Ojo anxiously.

" So t hat' s w hat y ou cal l h im ?" R ealb ad l oo ked

l on g and m is ch ievo us ly at t he g reat b ear. " Well ,

he 's t oo t hi n f or s te ak, a nd t oo mo th -e at en f or r ugs

s o I s uppo se w e' ll ha ve t o l et hi m l ive . Ca n you do

anything unusual or interesting, old Growler?"

"I can waltz," answered Snuffer ill-naturedly. "I

c an pl ay t he a cc or di on , h ol d a t in c up a nd be g a nd

I can wrestle and hug you to death if you come too

n ear m e, " f in is hed t he b ear, b li nk in g h is s mall eyes



35/216

savagely at Realbad.

"Splendid material for an outlaw," murmured the

band it , p us hi ng b ack h is f eath er ed h at . " We'l l cer -

t ai nl y h av e t o t ak e y ou i n, o ld H ug ge r. T hr ow ov er

t hat acco rd io n, S mackemb ack and l et' s h av e a t un e! "

Smackemback, grinning broadly, turned over the

accor di on h e h ad s to len f ro m t he g yp si es . S nu ff er

c aug ht i t e as il y a nd s at dow n on a wo ode n b enc h

b y t he f ir e. T hen, s ti ll eyein g t he w ho le com pany

suspiciously, he began to play, bringing such gusts

of rhythm and melody from the ancient instrument

t ha t t he r ob be rs s to pp ed w he re t he y s to od a nd

s tamp ed and s ho ut ed w it h app ro val. O jo , cli mb in g

up beside him, felt unaccountably happy and light-

h ea rt ed . F or t he p re se nt h is c om fo rt a nd s af et y

w er e a ss ur ed , a nd w ho k ne w w ha t m ig ht o cc ur b e-

f or e t he r ob be rs r ea ch ed M oo je r M ou nt ai n? S o, k ic k-

i ng h is f eet u ncon cern ed ly i n t im e t o t he accor di on ,

he s ni ff ed w it h k ee n a pp et it e t he g re at s id e o f v en -

i so n b ro wn in g o n t he t ur ns pi t o ver t he f ir e. S layr um

h ad a lr ea dy s et t he t ab le w it h h ea vy p la te s, m ug s,

k ni ves, f or ks and s po on s and h op pi ng h eavi ly aro un d

t o t he s wi ng o f S nu ff er 's m us ic, t he o ut laws p repared

to enjoy themselves.

S ea te d a t t he he ad o f t he t abl e b es id e Re al ba d, w it h



36/216

S nu ff er o n h is r ig ht , t he b oy h ad t he f ir st c ar e- fr ee

mo ment s in ce t he g yp si es h ad car ri ed h im away.

T he b an di ts ' m ea t w as t en de r, t he b an di ts ' b re ad

w as f re sh . T he re w er e w il d b er ri es a nd n ut s f or

d es se rt a nd b ro wn s pa rk li ng r oo t b ee r t ha t m ad e

O jo 's n os e t in gl e. R ealb ad , n ot icin g t he t ig ht ness o f

S nu ff er 's col lar, cut i t o ff w it h h is h un ti ng k ni fe and

t he b ig b ear, l ik e O jo , f ou nd h im self g ro wi ng m or e

a nd mo re a t e as e a nd c ont ent . I t w as t he on ly t ime

i n ye ar s t he po or f el low ha d ha d e noug h t o e at , a nd

af ter d ow ni ng t went y l oaves o f b read , t hr ee b ow ls

of be rr ie s a nd a s ma ll ba rr el of r oot b ee r, h e t ha nk -

f ul ly t ap ped h is b ul gi ng m id dl e and b eg an t o l oo k

m or e a mi ab ly a t t he r ob be rs .

" Co me, w hat 's o n y ou r m in d, o ld S er io us ?" ask ed

Realbad, catching one of Snuffer's earnest glances.

"Tell us something about yourself, how you came into

t he ha nd s o f t he g yp si es a nd a ll t ha t. "

" Yes, g iv e u s t he b ar e f acts ," y aw ned T in y, l eani ng

bot h e lb ows o n t he t ab le a nd r es ti ng h is c hi n i n h is

h ug e p al ms . " Ar e y ou k in d t o l it tl e f is h and chi ld ren,

are y ou p leasant o r u np leasant and -"

"Unpleasant," answered Snuffer promptly, and be-

ginning to enjoy himself immensely. "I awaken

every m or ni ng w it h a s narl and r et ir e every even-

ing with a growl."



37/216

"And between times?" asked Tiny, with another

yawn.

"Oh, judge for yourself," said Snuffer grufily, "but

l et m e t el l you one t hi ng, n eve r c ros s a be ar . A

c ros se d b ea r i s a c ro ss b ea r a nd b ew ar e o f h im ."

P ay in g n o att en ti on t o t he m ir th o f t he o ut laws ,

Snuffer went calmly on with his recital.

" I a m, a s y ou h av e p ro ba bl y n ot ic ed , a p la nt ig ra de ,

carnivorous animal, though I much prefer fruit,

vegetables, fish and honey."

" Well , t hat l et s m e o ut ," r oared S layr um , s et ti ng

d ow n h is m ug and w ip in g h is m ou th car el es sl y o n

h is s le ev e. " Fi sh ! H a, h a! H on ey ! H o, h o! "

" It wa s m y t as te f or h one y t ha t pr ove d my un-

doing," went on Snuffer, rolling his eyes solemnly

ar ou nd at R ealb ad . " Fi ve y ears ago , com in g d ow n

f ro m t he m oun ta ins f or a l it tl e c ha ng e o f s ce ne a nd

d i et , I h ap pe ne d u po n a g yp sy e nc am pm en t. A t t ha t

t im e I k ne w n ot hi ng o f g yp si es , a nd a s t he c am p

s ee me d d es er te d I l oo ke d a ro un d t o s ee w he th er t he y

h ad l ef t a nyt hi ng g ood t o e at . N ea r o ne of t he

w ag on s t he re w as a l ar ge p ai l o f ho ne y. Pu tt in g m y

h ea d i n t he p ai l t o s am pl e t he h on ey , I s ud de nl y

r ec ei ve d a b lo w f ro m b eh in d t ha t j am me d m y e ar s

d ow n i nt o t he p ai l. W hi le i n t hi s u nf or tu nate p os i-



38/216

t io n a nd b li nd ed b y t he s ti ck y s tu ff , I w as s oo n o ve r-

pow er ed a nd t ie d f as t t o a t re e. D ur in g t he w in te r

t hat f ol lo wed, Z it hero , t he l eader o f t he g yp si es ,

t au ght m e t o da nc e, ho ld o ut a t in c up, a nd o the r

t ri ck s u nb ecom in g t o o ne o f m y s ize and d ig ni ty . I n

t he s pr in g w e s ta rt ed ou t a nd t ra ve le d up a nd d ow n

Oz, begging at country fairs, stealing, peddling and

l iv in g t he m is er ab le l iv es o f o ut cast s. H al f f ed and

c ru el ly b ea te n I h av e f or f iv e y ea rs e xi st ed a s a

w re tc he d c ap ti ve , w it h n ot e ve n t im e o ut o r o ne

opportunity to lie dormant." Snuffer's voice cracked

a nd b ro ke a t t he m em or y o f h is w ro ng s.

"What savagery," murmured Tiny, winking across

t he t ab le a t O jo , " Wh at s av ag er y! H o, h u' rn ,! I 'd

l ik e t o l ie d or mant m ys el f f or a cou pl e o f cen tu ri es ."

"S ee h er e, w hy n ot s ta y w it h u s? " p ro po se d R ea l-

b ad g en er ou sl y. " We w il l l et y ou l ie d or mant o nce

a y ea r a nd ma ke a r ea l b andi t of yo u. Sn uf fe r t he

Ba nd it B ea r o f O z, h ow d oe s t ha t s ou nd , c om ra de s? "

" Ha , h a! A r obb er be ar . H o, h o! B ut r em em be r,

y ou c an 't m ak e t hi s y ea r' s l il y o ut o f l as t y ea r' s r os e. "

A s t he b an di ts l au gh ed at T in y' s s al ly , S nu ff er

cleared his throat and looked thoughtfully into the

e mp ty r oo t b ee r k eg .

"I would r athe r go f re e a nd t ake Oj o ba ck t o the

Emerald City," he announced boldly.



39/216

"What! Take our treasure?" exclaimed Realbad,

flinging his arm around the little Munchkin. "Why,

yo u c an 't d o t ha t, a nd s in ce O jo ha s b rou ght u s s uc h

l uc k a nd go od f or tun e, l et Oj o t el l hi s s to ry. I , f or

o ne , w ou ld l ik e t o k no w w hy h e i s w or th h is w ei gh t

in jewels."

" Ye s! Y es ! S pe ak u p a nd t el l u s a ll ," s ho ut ed t he

r ob bers , t hu mp in g o n t he t ab le w it h t heir k ni ves.

" Bett er b eg in at t he m id dl e, " adv is ed T in y, w ho

was growing dreadfully sleepy. "Begin at the mid-

d l e a nd l ea ve o ut a ll d at es , a ll f av or it e u nc le s a nd

aun ts , s to ne b ru is es , f is h y ou h av e cau gh t, all p et

t ur tl es , g ui nea p ig s, w hi te m ice, p up pi es and d on 't

bother about Christmas and birthday presents!"

" I w as n ot g oi ng t o! " s ai d O jo , s pr ing in g u p i n-

dignantly.

"There, there, little splinter, don't mind him,"

murmured Realbad soothingly. "Begin where you

w a nt a nd s to p w he re y ou w is h. "

" We ll ," b eg an O jo i n a s er io us vo ic e. " Fo r a s l on g

a s I ca n r eme mber I ha ve l ived wi th Unc Nunki e i n

a s ma ll h ou se i n t he m id dl e o f a f or es t. "

" Di dn 't t hi s U nc M on ke y h av e a n am e? " a sk ed

Slayrum, with a malicious leer.

" Nu nk ie," cor rected O jo s ev er el y, " an d I n ev er



40/216

h eard any o th er n am e, t ho ug h s om e cal l h im t he

s il en t o ne , f or U nc n ev er t al ks i f h e c an p os si bl y

help it."

"What fun!" commented Smackemback. "How

c he er y! W ha t a l if e f or yo u! "

"It was pretty lonely," admitted Ojo thoughtfully.

" Bu t o ne d ay , w he n o ur b re ad t re e s to pp ed b lo om in g

a nd t he re w as no m or e t o e at , w e l ef t t he l it tl e ho us e

i n t he f or es t a nd s ta rt ed ou t t o f ind s om e ot he r pl ac e

t o l ive . The f ir st p la ce w e c am e t o b el on ge d t o D r.

P ip t, t he cro ok ed m ag ician, w ho l iv ed o n a m ou nt ai n

on t he o th er s ide of t he f or es t. W he n w e r ea ch ed

t he h ou se, D r. P ip t' s w if e, M ar go lo tt e i nv it ed u s i n,

ga ve u s a f ine di nne r a nd s ho we d u s a P at ch wo rk

G ir l s he ha d m ad e o ut o f a n ol d qu il t a nd s tu ff ed w it h

cotton. The magician himself was busy making a

ne w b at ch of t he P ow de r o f L if e. He w an te d t o m ak e

t he Pa tc hwo rk G ir l l ive s o s he c oul d be a s er va nt

f o r h is w if e. A s t he p ow de r w as a lm os t f in is he d, h e

be gge d us t o s ta y a nd w at ch hi m do i t."

" An d h ow d id i t w or k?" i nq ui red R ealb ad , l eani ng

o ve r t o l ig ht h is pi pe w it h o ne of t he t al l c and le s.

" It w or ked all r ig ht , b ut s om et hi ng t er ri bl e h ap -

p ened, " exp lain ed O jo , w it h a l it tl e s hi ver at m em or y

o f t ha t a wf ul a ft er no on . " Yo u s ee , w he n t he c ro ok ed

m ag ic ia n s ho ok t he p ow de r o ve r S cr ap s, t he P at ch -



41/216

w or k G ir l, s he c am e t o l if e s o s ud de nl y t ha t U nc

Nu nk ie and M ar go lo tt e j um ped u p t og et her and

k no ck ed a b ot tl e o f t he L iq ui d o f P et ri fact io n f ro m

a s helf o ver t heir h eads . T he l iq ui d s pi ll ed all o ver

t hem and t hey w er e i mm ed iately t ur ned t o m ar bl e. "

" Yo u d on 't s ay! " g ru nt ed S la yr um , a s i f h e d id n ot

be li eve a wor d of t he s to ry . O jo nodde d a nd pr o-

ceeded hurriedly with his recital.

" Well , aft er t hat t he cro ok ed m ag ician l oo ked i n

hi s book of ma gi c a nd f ound t ha t the onl y w ay to

r es to re U nc N un ki e a nd M ar go lo tt e w as t o b re w a

m i xt ur e o f f iv e o bj ects : a s ix -l eaved clo ver, t he l ef t

w in g of a y el lo w bu tt er fl y, a gi ll of wa te r f rom a

da rk we ll , t hr ee h ai rs f rom a W ooz y' s t ai l, a nd a

d ro p of o il f ro m a l ive m an 's b ody ."

"Sounds difficult," puffed Realbad, while Snuffer

r eg ar ded O jo w it h r ou nd -eyed i nt er est and att ent i on .

Ev en t he r ob bers s to pp ed t al ki ng and j ok in g amo ng

themselves to listen.

" It w as ," a ns we re d O jo s ob er ly . " Bu t t he P at ch -

w or k G ir l a nd t he w iz ar d' s G la ss C at w en t w it h m e

a nd i n c as e w e s houl d not s uc ce ed t he wi za rd b ega n

m aki ng a ne w ba tc h of t he P owd er of Li fe . B ut a s

t hat w ou ld t ak e h im f iv e y ears o f con st an tl y s ti rr in g

fo ur k et tl es w it h h is h an ds a nd f ee t, h e h op ed v er y



42/216


43/216

co tt ag e w it h b lu e s hu tt er s j us t o ut si de t he cit y w al ls .

A nd w e g o t o a ll t he r oy al p ar ti es a nd c el eb ra ti on s,

t oo ," f in is hed O jo a b it com pl acen tl y.

" Bu t t hat d oes n ot exp lain t he f iv e t ho us an d b ag s

o f s ap ph ir es ," r um bl ed a r ob be r f ro m t he f oo t o f t he

t abl e. " It 's a s mu ch of a m ys te ry a s e ve r. W he n di d

t hese g yp si es g et h ol d o f y ou ?"

" Last n ig ht ," ans wered O jo , h an gi ng h is h ead as

h e r em em bered h ow all t hi s t ro ub le cou ld h av e b een

avo id ed h ad h e o nl y m in ded U nc N un ki e. " Wh y n ot

l et m e g o?" h e ask ed , t ur ni ng s ud denl y t o R ealb ad .

"Take me back t o the Eme rald City a nd I am s ure

O zm a w il l r ew ar d y ou all ."

" No ! N o! N o! " s ho ut ed t he b an di ts , s pr in gi ng an-

gr il y t o t he ir f ee t. " We t ook yo u i n a f ai r f ig ht a nd

w il l b e p ai d f or o ur t ro ub le ."

" It woul dn' t do f or a n out la w to go t o t he Eme ra ld

City," explained Realbad patiently. "I'd probably be

t hr ow n i nt o j ai l, a nd i t w ou ld n' t b e g oo d b us in es s t o

l et y ou g o eit her. "

"And is banditry good business?" growled Snuffer-

b ux d is gu st ed ly . " It 's a b ad b us in es s, a m ig ht y b ad

b us in es s, and w el l y ou k no w i t. "

" We ll , i t' s t he o nl y b us in es s I h av e a t p re se nt , s o

yo u' ll j us t ha ve t o m ak e t he be st o f i t. " S mi li ng



44/216


45/216

d ag gers l and ed o n M oo jer M ou nt ai n. B ut o ne

p er ch ed v icto ri ou sl y o n t he v er y t ip .

"Realbad's," muttered Tiny, plucking it out with

a l it tl e g ri mace. " Mi gh t k no w h e' d b es t u s. "

"Three cheers for Realbad!" called Smackemback,

w ho a lw ay s s ee me d t o b e g oo d- na tu re d a nd j ol ly .

" Re al ba d s ha ll t ak e O jo t o M oo je r M ou nt ai n a nd

turn him into jewels!"

C HA PT ER 4

The Silver Bird

F OR GO TT EN , n ow , w as t he m er r im en t and g oo d

f el lo ws hi p o f t he p as t f ew h ou rs i n R ealb ad 's

c av e. Al l t ha t Oj o now f el t wa s r ep ug na nc e a nd t er -

ro r a t t he r ob be r b an d' s g re ed .

" An ywa y, I 'm gl ad Ti ny di d n ot w in t he r ight t o

t ak e m e t o M oo je r M ou nt ai n, " h e c on fi de d i n a

gloomy whisper to Snuffer.

" Ta ke y ou !" g ro wl ed t he b ea r i n a s av ag e u nd er -

tone . "Why wa it? What do you sa y we make a run

for it, Ojo? I can knock over a dozen of these ras-

c al s wi th one a rm, a nd t he y' re s o bus y wi th t ha t m ap

th at w e m ig ht m ak e i t. "



46/216

" Bu t I p ro mi s ed ," o bj ect ed t he b oy , d rawi ng b ack

sorrowfully.

"Promised!" wheezed the bear in exasperation

" wh at h av e p ro mi se s t o d o w it h a p ac k o f r uf fi an s

like this?"

" Sh -h h, h er e c om es R ea lb ad ," w ar ne d O jo , a s S nu f-

f er r ol le d o ff t he b en ch a nd r ea re d a ng ri ly u p o n h is

hind legs.

" Hah, i sn 't t hi s t he f el lo w w ho cou ld w rest le?'

i nq ui red t he b an di t t easi ng ly , as S nu ff er s to od s tu b-

b or n a nd s co wl in g i n h is p at h. " Co me o n, l et 's h av e

a t ry . W re st li ng a b ea r w it h b ar e h an ds . W ha t h o! "

S qu ar in g o ff , t he o ut law g ri nn ed at S nu ff er and

w it h a s narl o f f ur y t he b ear r us hed i n, f li ng in g b ot h

ar m s aro un d t he b an di t. B ut R ealb ad s li pp ed t hr ou gh

his claws like quicksilver, and though they rolled,

t um bl ed and s qu ir med all o ver t he f lo or , S nu ff er

f ai le d t o g et a f ir m h ol d on t he wi ly , w ir y, s te el -

m us cl ed o ut law. F or mi ng a cir cl e aro un d t he t wo ,

the bandits yelled with interest and enthusiasm and

e ve n O jo c ou ld n ot h el p a s qu ea l o f e xc it em en t a s

R ealb ad , cat ch in g S nu ff er a b it o ff b al an ce, b ow led

him ove r l ike a te n pin.

" Fi ne w or k! " S ei zi ng t he p aw o f t he p ro st rate

b ear, t he b an di t s ho ok i t w ar ml y. " We'l l t ry again

s oon. I won t hi s t ime , but o ne mor e bi ff a nd you



47/216

w ou ld ha ve h ad me do wn . N ow, h ow a bo ut s om e

r oo t b ee r t o c el eb ra te ?"

Wi th a d azed and p uzzl ed exp ress io n i n h is l it tl e

b u tt on eyes, S nu ff er s at u p. Y et s tr an gely eno ug h

h e f el t n o r es en tm en t. R ealb ad h ad f ou gh t b ravely

a nd well and had downed him in a fair test. No use

tr yi ng a ga in t il l h e h ad b ac k h is w in d, a nd f or t he

p re se nt a ll t ho ug ht o f e sc ap e w ou ld h av e t o b e a ba n-

d on ed . G ul pi ng d ow n t he h ug e m ug o f b eer, S nu f-

ferbux sat thoughtfully blinking at the floor while

t he r ob bers v ocif er ou sl y clapp ed f ir st h im and t hen

R eal bad o n t he s ho ul ders .

T he y h ad t ar ri ed s o l on g a t t he t ab le l is te ni ng t o

S n uf fe r a nd O jo 's s to ri es t ha t t he a ft er no on w as a l-

re ad y f ar a dv an ce d. T o O jo 's i nt en se r el ie f i t w as

d ec id ed t ha t R ea lb ad w ou ld n ot s ta rt f or M oo je r

M ou nt ai n t il l d ay br eak, and aft er ano th er b it e t o

e at t he b an di ts s tr et ch ed t he ms el ve s o ut o n t he f lo or

t o r es t. Ea ch ma n h ad hi s o wn be ar sk in r ug , a nd

s ur ro un ded b y t heir b ri st li ng w eapo ns t he r ob bers

la y d ow n i n o rd er ly r ow s l ik e s ol di er s i n a b ar ra ck s.

Oj o a nd Snu ff er s ha re d a r ug by t he f ir e, a nd t he

b ear s or ro wf ul ly f el t and m easu red t he h id e o f h is

huge and fallen kinsman.

" Well , I 'v e b een f lo or ed , b ut I 'm s ti ll i n m y s ki n, "



48/216

h e w heezed m ou rn fu ll y, " an d i f I d o n ot t hi nk o f

s om et hi ng q ui ck ly w e' ll b ot h b e d on e f or !" O jo s ai d

nothing but he quite agreed with Snuffer. Lying

qu ietl y b es id e h im h e w on dered w heth er t he r ob bers

w ou ld e ve r g o t o s le ep . W he n t he y d id , h e i nt en de d

t o t ake t he be ar 's a dvi ce a nd ma ke a b re ak f or f re e-

do m. R ea lba d wa s t he f ir st t o c lo se h is e ye s, a nd

wh il e O jo w as w ai ti ng f or t he o th er b an di ts t o d oz e

o ff h e m us t h av e f al len asl eep h im self , f or w hen h e

wa ke ne d t he c av e w as d ar k. O nl y a f ew e mb er s

g lo wed i n t he f ir ep lace, b ut as t he b oy r ai sed h im self

cautiously on his elbow a confused murmuring struck

h is e ar s. I t w as T in y a nd S la yr um . T he t wo r ob be rs

w er e w hi sp er in g t og et her i n t he d ar kn es s.

" I d on' t l ike i t, I t el l y ou, " h is se d T in y. " Ca n' t y ou

s ee how s of t Re al ba d is wi th t he boy? P ul l my nos e,

c om ra de , i f he doe sn' t me an t o l et hi m of f a nd c om e

b ac k wi th s ome f is h a nd ba it s to ry a nd no j ew el s.

B es id es , h ow i s o ne m an t o c ar ry a ll t ha t t re as ur e?

W e ne ve r t hough t of t ha t, di d we , ma te ? I t el l y ou

the thing to do i s for us t o s teal this Oj o now and

s li p away w hi le R ealb ad i s s ti ll s leep in g. I f h e w ak es

we 'l l t ie hi m up a nd t os s h im ove r t he c li ff ."

" Bu t, w ou ld t hat b e r ig ht ?" S layr um s po ke i n a

h o ar se w heeze. " Real bad' s t he chi ef , y e k no w. "

" W hat' s t he m at ter w it h y ou r b ei ng chi ef ?" p ro -



49/216

po sed T in y s ly ly , and i n t he l it tl e s il en ce t hat f ol -

l ow ed , O jo k ne w t he b an di t w as t hi nk in g i t o ve r.

G la nc in g a t t he c al m f ac e o f R ea lb ad , h e f el t s ud -

d e nl y v er y s or ?y f or h im . w ha t r og ue s t he se r ob -

be rs we re , a nd wha t woul d ha ppe n t o hi m i f t he y

r eached M oo jer M ou nt ain and f ou nd n o r ewar d?

Fling him over a cliff in all likelihood.

R ig id w it h s us pens e and anx iety , O jo l ay t en sely

b es id e S nu ff er . I f h e r ou se d R ea lb ad a nd t he b ea r,

t he r ob bers w ou ld o ver po wer t hem all . A nd b an di t

t ho ug h R ea lb ad w as , O jo d id n ot r el is h t he n ot io n

o f s eein g h im f lu ng d ow n a r ocky g or ge. M er ci fu l

Munchkin~! Here they came, treading carefully over

their sleeping comrades. Turning over quickly Ojo

r ol le d on a s ma ll s ha rp o bj ec t. I t wa s t he s il ve r

w hi st le he ha d pi cke d up i n t he fo re st whe n he w as

w it h t he g yp si es . I t ha d p ro ba bl y f al le n ou t o f h is

p ocket w hi le h e s lept . S carcel y k no wi ng w hy h e d id

s o, b ut o nl y k no wi ng h e m us t d o s om et hi ng , O jo , a s

S layr um 's g reat h an d r each ed o ut t o s natch h im ,

s ei zed t he w hi st le and b lew i t w it h all h is s tr en gt h.

T he p ierci ng b last ech oed and r e- ech oed t hr ou gh t he

r ocky cav er n. T in y and S layr um w er e s o s tart led

t ha t t he y s to pp ed i n t he ir t ra ck s, w hi le t he o th er

r ob bers p op ped u p f ro m t heir r ug s l ik e j um pi ng



50/216

j acks , R ealb ad g ras pi ng h is s wo rd i n b ot h h an ds .

T he n, b ef or e O jo c ou ld w ar n h im o f h is d an ge r,

b ef or e T in y o r S layr um cou ld s ei ze t he l it tl e M un ch -

k i n o r i mp ar t t he ir w ic ke d p la ns t o t he o th er b an di ts ,

t he re w as a b li nd ing f la sh a nd f lu tt er o ve r t he o pe n

p ar t o f t he cav e. A d azzl in g s il ver r ad iance f lo od ed

it from one end to the other, and as Ojo and the rob-

b er s s hi vered w it h ast on is hm en t, a g reat s il ver b ir d,

s ev en ty t im es a s l ar ge a s t he l ar ge st e ag le , s wo op ed

d ow n i nt o t he b an di ts ' l ai r. E ac h o f i ts f ea th er s w as

f lash in g s il ver and i ts eyes and b eak w er e s park li ng

jewels t hat s en t l it tl e s park s o f r ad iance d ar ti ng

a bo ut t he c av e.

" wh o cal ls O po do ck ?" w hi st led t he s il ver b ir d i n a

l ow m el od io us v oi ce. w ho n eeds o r d es i res h is

help?"

" Oh , I d id , I d o! " p an te d O jo , r ec ov er in g f ro m h is

amazem en t b ef or e any on e els e cou ld s peak . " Pl eas e

s en d t hese b an di ts away q ui ck !" S natchi ng R eal-

b ad 's h and a nd S nu ff er 's p aw h e dr ew t he m b ac k

t owa rd t he f ir epl ac e, a nd i t w as w el l t ha t he di d, f or

t he n ex t m om en t, O po do ck , s pr ead in g h is g reat

w in gs , d ro pp ed d ow n b ef or e t hem. R ai si ng h is w in gs ,

O po do ck f lu tt er ed t hem o nce, t hen again . A w in d-

n o, a h ur ri ca ne -a ro se , a nd l ik e p eb bl es a nd s ti ck s

c aught i n a t ida l wa ve t he r obb er s we re c aug ht u p



51/216

an d s we pt o ut o f t he c av er n. O nl y R ea lb ad , S nu f-

f e r, O jo a nd t he S il ve r B ir d r em ai ne d. A s R ea lb ad ,

j er ki ng away f ro m t he l it tl e M un ch ki n, p repared t o

d a r t a ft er t he o ut la ws , O po do ck s po ke a ga in .

"Anything else, my masters?" But this time his

voi ce w as s o s of t a nd g ent le t ha t o nl y one p er son

h eard i t. O jo w as r un ni ng w il dl y aft er R ealb ad , b ut

Snufferbux, leaning close to the great Silver Bird,

s po ke s ix b re at hl es s w or ds . O nc e m or e O po do ck

raised his silver wings. Another hurricane swept

t hr ou gh t he r oc ky e nc lo su re a nd o n t he w in gs o f t ha t

m ag ic w in d, O jo , S nu ff er and R ealb ad w en t s ai li ng

out of t he c ave , ove r the t ree t ops , up, up a nd up

u nt il t hey s eemed b ut q ueer ly s haped clo ud s w hi rl -

i ng a cr os s t he s ky .

C HA PT ER 5

A S af e P la ce

I T s ee me d t o O jo t ha t t he y h ad f low n o r r at he r

b lo wn a lo ng f or

ojo in oz - l. frank baum

Documents