speedy in oz - l. frank baum

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

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Speedy In Oz Oz 28

L . F ra nk B au m

C HA PT ER 1

T he C ar el ess nes s o f S izzer oo

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T 0- NI GH T, I s ha ll w ea r m y g re en p ad de d c oa t, m y

silver boots and the purple pantaloons," murmured

King Sizzeroo ofUmbrellaIsland, stroking his

b raid ed b eard w it h o ne h an d and g iv in g t he w heel

t hat con tr ol led t he m ot io n o f t he i sl an d a l azy

t ur n w it h t he o th er . " An d t o- mo rr ow -"

" Wa tc h o ut ! W at ch o ut !" F ou r s ha rp c la ws

d u g i nt o h is M aj es ty 's

p lu mp s ho ul der and P an sy , t he R oy al W at ch C at ,

d ro pp in g f ro m t he r ib s o f an u mb rell a t ree o verh ead,

began screaming hysterically into the King's left ear.

" How ma ny ti me s mus t I a sk you not to do t ha t?"

s hi vered S izzero o, j er ki ng h is h ead t o t he r ig ht .

" Am I yo ur M aj es ty' s W at ch C at , or a m I no t? "

s hr il led P an sy , archi ng h er b ack d ef iant ly . " Is i t m y

d ut y t o w at ch o ut f or y ou w he n y ou a re n ot w at ch in g

o ut f or y ou rs el f- an d u s- or i s i t n ot ?"

" No t s o l ou d, n ot s o l oud ," be gge d t he K ing f re t-

f ul ly . " Yo u' re t ak ing a ll t he c ur l o ut o f m y e ar , b e-

side~"

" Watch o ut ! O ug h! Q ug h! M eo uch! " P oo r P an sy !

A lr ea dy h er w ar ni ng w as t oo l at e. W it h a t hu mp

t hat s en t t he h un dr ed s il ver b el ls i n t he t op -m os t

s i lv er t ow er i nt o a r at tl e o f f ri gh tened d is co rd s, w it h

a b um p t hat f lu ng S izzero o o ver t he f ou nt ai n and



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Pansy into the fish pond,UmbrellaIslandcame to a

s hu dd er in g s to p. A s i ts s tart led s ov er eig n r ai sed

h im self p ai nf ul ly o n o ne elb ow , h e cou ld h ear t he

furniture and ornaments in his palace still crashing

about. Looking gloomily down into the village, he

c ou ld s ee t ha t d oz en s o f c ot ta ge s w er e n ow w it ho ut

r oo fs and chi mn ey s, and m an y o f t he I sl an ders s tr ew n

about in strange and uncomfortable attitudes.

"I 'l l n ot w ea r m y g re en c oa t a nd s il ve r b oo ts , a ft er

all," groaned Sizzeroo, feeling about for his crown.

" Th e o ld b la ck s ku ll c ap , t he g re y c ar pe t s li pp er s,

my snuff colored robe. Anything! Anything, will

do! M y! M y! a nd M y L and !"

For about as l ong as i t woul d ta ke you t o count

t en , t he U mb rell ians l ay w here t hey h ad f al len.

Then, snatching up their parasols and umbrellas, they

l ea pt t o t he ir f ee t a nd s ta rt ed on a r un f or t he c as tl e,

a nd p an ti ng a he ad o f a ll t he r es t, c am e t he K in g' s

t hr ee c ou ns el or s. T he y h ad b ee n h av in g a q ui et c up

of t ea on the te rr ac e a nd had not onl y be en ups et ,

b ut s ev er el y s ca ld ed b y t he o ve rt ur n o f t he t ea t ab le

w he n t he i sl an d c am e t o s o s ud de n a s ta nd st il l. N ot -

i ng t heir s ho ck ed and anx io us f aces , S izzero o s ig hed

heavily.

"There are times," moaned the many-chinned mon-



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arch, pulling himself with great difficulty out of the

r os e bu sh i nt o w hi ch h e ha d f al le n, " th er e a re t im es

w hen I wis h I we re not a King. what now? And

w ha t n ex t a nd w ha t e ve r? P an sy , P an sy , d ro p t ha t

go ld f is h at o nce. "

" If yo u f li ng m e t o t he f is he s, w ha t d o y ou e xpe ct ?"

s narl ed t he W at ch C at , s peak in g i nd is ti nctl y, f or t he

g o ld f is h w as s ti ll i n h er m ou th . S ul lenl y s he s cr am -

bl ed o ut o f t he p ond .

" I di d no t f li ng y ou t o t he f is he s a nd we ll yo u k no w

i t, " r ep ro ved S izzero o. T ak in g t he f is h f ro m P an sy ,

h e g en tl y t hr ew i t b ac k i n t he p on d a nd , t uc ki ng t he

W at ch C at u nd er h is a rm , t ur ne d u ne as il y t o m ee t

h is s pu tt er i ng cou ns el or s . " Dear , d ear and d ear ! I

s up po se t hey w il l b lame t hi s all o n m e, " h e m ut tered,

dabb in g u nh ap pi ly at t he d ri pp in g cat w it h t he end

o f h is p ad de d c oa t.

"And whom else could they blame?" inquired Pansy

s ar cast ical ly . " If y ou h ad l is tened w hen I f ir st cal led

o ut , y ou w ou ld n ot h av e r un i nt o a m ou nt ai n. Y ou 'l l

w r eck t hi s i sl an d y et , y ou car el es s o ld t hi ng !"

" Di d you c al l m e a K in g or a Th ing? " S iz ze ro o

g av e P an sy a s te rn s ha ke .

" Oh , s av e y ou r b re at h f or t he o th er s, " a dv is ed

Pansy, and springing lightly to his shoulder, the

W atch C at b eg an energ et ical ly t o l ick h er self d ry .



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n es s. Thi nki ng i s wha t I a m pa id t o d o, a nd p oor ly

paid at that. Thinking! Bah! Thinking causes all

t he t roub le out of t he wo rl d. O f w ha t we re y ou t hi nk-

ing, pray?"

" Of m y g re en pa dde d c oa t, my s il ve r bo ot s a nd s o

on-

" An d s o o n t he r ocks ," cho ked K achewk a, s tu ff in g

hi s h an dk er ch ief b ack i nt o h is p ocket. " We w il l all

ha ve t o w ea r pa dd ed c oa ts a nd c ra sh p ant s i f t hi s

k eep s u p. "

N ow W add y, s eei ng S izzer oo l oo ki ng s o d ow ncast ,

S li pp ed h as ti ly b ack o f t he K in g and , g iv in g h im a

s ly poke i n t he r ibs , t ouc he d a g ol d bu tt on i n t he

g reat s il ver s haft t hat s up po rt ed t he t remend ou s

b il lo wi ng u mb rell a t hat s pr ead l ik e a can op y o ver

t he ent ir e i sl an d. T hi s b ut to n, W ad dy 's o wn i nv en -

tion, controlled and guided the island automatically

l ik e t he e le ct ri c s te er in g d ev ic es o n s om e o f o ur o wn

ocean liners.

"There now," puffed the Wizard, giving Sizzeroo

a comforting thump between the shoulders, "every-

thi ng w il l b e a ll r igh t. T hi nk n o mo re o f i t, de ar ol d

Gum Dr op. W e ha ve ha d a shoc k but no bone s a re

b ro ken and chi mn ey s and r oo fs are s oo n m en ded. "

Waddy's further remarks were completely drowned

o u t b y t he f ur io us b eati ng o f B am bo ul a' s d ru m.



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dragging it roughly downward.

C HA PT ER 2

L ox o, t he L ucky

B EF OR E M ea nd er c ou ld o pe n h is m ou th t o

r ep or t t hi s a pp al li ng p ie ce o f n ew s, t he U rn -

brellians found themselves staring into the

f ace of t he gi ant hi ms elf . I t wa s a f ac e t wi ce

a s l ar ge a s t he ir i sl an d, t op pe d b y h ai r l ik e

awaving forest, with eyes like two burning

l ak es o f l ava , w it h a m ou nt ai no us n os e a nd

a m ou th r es em bl in g a y aw ni ng cav e, f ul l o f

cr o ok ed an d m os s gr o wn r o ck s .

"Oh! Oh! and Oh!" wailed Sizzeroo, clutching

W ad dy 's s leev e, w hi le P an sy d ov e h ur ri ed ly i nt o t he

K in g' s p ocket. " Tell m e I 'm asl eep and d ream in g.

T el l m e i t i sn 't s o. I f I 'm a wa ke , I 'm p er fe ct ly p et ri -

fled and simply a-quiver.

" Yo u' r e a- qu iv er , t hen! M e t oo !" W add y cl ap ped

a p lu mp h an d t o h is l ou dl y b ea ti ng h ea rt a nd l oo ke d

w il dl y a cr os s a t K ac he wk a. A s h e d id , K ac he wk a

s ne ez ed f iv e t im es , w hi ch i n t he i sl and c od e of s ig-

nals meant, "Silence everyone.' Our Wizard will



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handle this matter."

The command for silence was quite unnecessary.

T he U mb rell ians w er e t oo t er ri fi ed t o u tt er a s ou nd ,

b ut n ow t he y s to pp ed l oo ki ng a t t he g ia nt a nd t ur ne d

f ra nt ic a nd a pp ea li ng e ye s o n t he W iz ar d. P oo r

W ad dy , aft er an i nd ig nant g lance at K achewk a,

w ho m h e f el t w as b ei ng ent ir el y t oo g en er ou s, d rew

h im se lf u p a nd p re pa re d f or t he w or st .

" So ! " h is sed t he g iant , g lari ng d ow n at t hem all

w it h h is r ed a nd bu rn ing e ye s. " So , t hi s i s w ha t hi t

me ! How dar e you hi t me i n t he hea d wi th an i sla nd?

I f t he re 's o ne t hi ng t ha t m ak es m e m ad de r t ha n a n-

o th er , i t' s b ei ng h it i n t he h ea d w it h a n i sl an d. W ha t

ri gh t h as an i sl an d r ocketi ng t hr ou gh t he s ky i n

th is r eckl es s f as hi on ? W hat r ig ht h as an i sl an d i n

t he a ir , a ny wa y? " h e be ll ow ed i n a vo ic e t ha t b le w

f i ft y u mb rell as i ns id e o ut and f latt en ed b ack t he ear s

of the Islanders themselves.

"By right of invention and wizardry!" shouted

W ad dy , as su mi ng as b ol d and u ncon cer ned an att i-

t ud e a s a n o ld f el lo w o f t wo h un dr ed a nd f if ty p ou nd s

w el l c an . " I s ee y ou r H ig hn es s h as ne ve r s tud ie d

Unnatural History?"

" St ud y! W hy s ho ul d I s tu dy ?" r oared t he g iant

w rath fu ll v. " I am abo ve s uch t hi ng s. B es id es . I d o

n ot n ee d t o s tu dy U nn at ur al H is to ry t o k no w w he n



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"To begin with," announced the Wizard impres-

si vely , " we w er e a t id y b ut q ui te o rd in ar y l it tl e

i sl and , s ur ro un ded b y t he u su al o cean and cov er ed

b y t he c us to ma ry s ky . W e l ay b y f is he rm an 's r ec k-

oning seventy leagues from the mainland of Ev,

w hi ch , y ou k no w, l ie s a cr os s t he D ea dl y D es er t f ro m

t he g reat and f lo ur is hi ng K in gd om o f O z. A s w e

a re a t p re se nt o ve r O z, I pr es um e t ha t y ou , y ou r-

self, hail from that incomparable and enchanting

Fairy Land?"

" Wh er e els e w ou ld I com e f ro m?" d em an ded t he

g iant g ru ff ly . " Go o n! G o o n! "

N ow I h av e s us pe ct ed t ha t t he U mb re ll ia ns w er e

o f s om e s tr an ge f ai ry o ri gi n, f or h ow o th er wi se

c ou ld w e a cc ou nt f or a t al ki ng c at , a p ra ct ic in g w iz -

a rd, o r t he f ly ing i sl and i ts el f? Bu t I m us t no t i nt er -

r upt W addy a nd a s t he gi ant c ont inue d t o ca ll i n a n

i mp at ient v oi ce f or h im t o p ro ceed , h e g ravely w en t

o n w it h h is r ecit al .

" In t he ear ly d ay s o f o ur h is to ry ," exp lain ed t he

Wizard complacently, "we engaged in the raising of

si lk w or ms and t he m an uf actu re o f f in e s il ken f ab -

r ics. B y energ y, i nd us tr y and s uccess fu l t rade w it h

P in garee and t he n earb y I sl an d o f I mp os si pi ll io , w e

am ass ed a con si derabl e f or tu ne f or o ur s el ves and

our gracious sovereign." Waddy bowed ceremoni-



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ou sl y t o t he K in g, a nd S iz ze ro o w it h a n er vo us j er k

o f h is h ead ack no wl ed ged t he s al ut e and t he f or tu ne.

" Th en , abo ut s ev en y ears ago ," W ad dy f ix ed t he

g iant w it h an anx io us and s ol em n eye, " seven y ears

ago , o ur ami abl e m on ar ch d ev el op ed an o ver po wer-

i ng d es ir e f or t ravel and adv en tu re. B ut b ei ng u n-

f on d o f s hi ps , o pp os ed t o car av an s and u nw il li ng t o

go anywhere without taking every courtier, coun-

s el or , i sl an der and ani mal alo ng , I , as C hi ef M ag i-

c i an of t he Re alm , di d s et mys elf t o de vi se a wa y

in which this might happily be accomplished. After

seven m on th s o f d eep t ho ug ht ," W ad dy clear ed h is

t hr oat w it h s carcel y con ceal ed p ri de, " af ter s ev en

m on th s, I con ceiv ed t he i dea o f an eno rm ou s u mb rell a

t ha t w ou ld g o t hr ou gh t he c en te r o f t he i sl an d a nd

car ry u s s af el y and b uo yant ly t hr ou gh t he air o r

ov er t he w at er , g iv ing u s a ll t he i nt er es t a nd e x-

cit em en ts o f t ravel w it h t he com fo rt s and l ux ur y o f

h om e. H ow w el l I s uc ce ed ed w it h t hi s i de a, y ou r

Greatness may judge for yourself."

"Umph!" grunted the giant, touching the lump

on h is h ead t en derl y.

" An d s o, " t he W iz ar d, a nx io us t o b e d on e w it h t he

conversation, hurried on, "by a judicious mixture of

m ec ha ni cs a nd m ag ic I w as a bl e t o c on st ru ct a nd



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install this huge umbrella, and lift our island from

it s p er ma ne nt r es ti ng p la ce . W e c an n ow s ai l a t

will over the ocean, anchoring off strange continents

a nd s ho re s, o r e xp lo re t he h ig h a nd h it he rt o u n-

c ha rt er ed r eg io ns o f t he a ir . W e h av e e ve n c ro ss ed

o ve r i nt o t he r ea lm s o f R ea li ty o n t he o th er s id e

o f t he r ai nb ow a nd n ot ed w it h i nt er es t a nd p ro fi t

t he cur io us cus to ms o f i ts m on ar ch ies and r ep ub li cs

In t he c ou rs e o f t he se j ou rn ey s, t he f ol ia ge o f o ur

island has changed considerably, becoming rich and

t ro pi cal. T he n um er ou s u mb rell a and s hade t rees

y ou s ee s ca tt er ed a bo ut o ur h il ls a re t he r es ul t o f

my profound study and experimentation. They pro-

d u ce i n p ro fu si on t he u mb rell as and p ar as ol s t hat

o ur m od e o f l if e m ak es s o n ec es sa ry a nd e ss en ti al .

Ev er y m an , w om an a nd c hi ld i s r eq ui re d b y l aw t o

c a rr y a n u mb re ll a o r p ar as ol a t a ll t im es , n ot o nl y

f or P le as ur e a nd s ty le , b ut a s a p re ca ut io n a s w el l.

Sh ou ld t he i sl and t il t a nd a ny o f t he m f al l ov er t he

f en ce, t he u mb rell as act as p ar achu tes, k eepi ng t hem

safely afloat until rescued."

" I s ee you ha ve s uppl ie d t he c ows a nd go at s w it h

umbrellas, too," remarked the giant, throwing away

hi s p al m l ea f f an t re e t oo th p ic k.

" A h, b ut n at ur al ly ," W ad dy ass ur ed h im i n a

d ig ni fi ed v oi ce. " We are a k in d and h um an e p eo pl e



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an d w ou ld n ot t hi nk o f d en yi ng o ur ani mals com -

f or ts and l ux ur ies t hat w e enj oy o ur selv es ."

S om ew hat exh au st ed, t he W izard p au sed f or

breath and the Umbrellians, noting the interest Loxo

w as t ak in g i n t heir aff ai rs , s to pp ed t remb li ng and

b egan t o s tr ai gh ten t heir h at s, s mo ot h d ow n t heir

s il k b lo us es and t il t t heir u mb rell as and p ar as ol s at

more comfortable and becoming angles. Even Pansy

c am e o ut o f t he K in g' s p oc ke t a nd p er ch ed i nq ui s-

itively on his shoulder.

" Bu t abo ut t he b raid s, " i nq ui red t he g iant , as

W ad dy s to od s tari ng s il en tl y and h op ef ul ly u p al

him.

" Br ai ds ? O h, b raid s are o ur p ecul iari ty ," adm it -

t ed t he W iz ar d, a nd w it h a l it tl e c hu ck le d re w t he

l on g p la it t ha t hu ng d ow n hi s b ac k o ve r o ne s ho ul -

der, thoughtfully stroked the braided whiskers on

e ac h s id e o f h is c he ek s a nd h is l on g l ux ur ia nt b ra id -

ed b eard . " We f in d t hem com fo rt ab le, con veni en t

and, we hope, ornamental," he explained indulgently.

N ow I a m n ot s ur pr is ed t ha t L ox o m en ti on ed

b raid s. T hey are t he f ir st t hi ng y ou w ou ld n ot ice

a b ou t a n U mb re ll a I sl an de r. T he d ar k h ai r o f t he

w om en and g ir ls w as b raid ed i n s hi ni ng p lait s,

r each in g o ft en b el ow t heir w ai st s. T he m en and



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b oy s w or e t he ir h ai r i n a s in gl e b ra id , l ik e a C hi na -

m an 's q ueue, and t he b rai ded s id e-w hi s ker s and

b ea rd s o f t he o ld er m en g av e t he m a n e xc ee di ng ly

merry and mischievous expression. Even the ani-

m al s o n U mb rell a I sl an d h ad b raid ed t ai ls and m an es

a nd P ans y, t he W at ch C at , no t on ly h ad a b ra ide d

t ai l, t ie d w it h a r ed r ib bo n, b ut t he s of t h ai r g ro wi ng

f ro m t he t ip s o f h er e ar s w as a ls o b ra id ed a nd f in is he d

wi th p er ky r ed b ow s.

A s a r ac e, t he U mb re ll ia ns w er e d ar k h ai re d, f ai r

s ki nn ed , s lend er and h an ds om e. M en and w om en

a l ik e w or e l oo se c oa ts o r b lo us es , w id e s il k t ro us er s

a n d b ri gh t l ea th er b oo ts . T he m en a nd b oy s c ar ri ed

um br el las, t he w om en and g ir ls p ar as ol s, and t he

pleasing contrast of their costumes and umbrellas

m ade a ny gr oup of I sl an de rs not onl y a ga y a nd

cheer fu l s ig ht , b ut a s im pl y charm in g o ne, as w el l.

But Loxo, I am af rai d, did not wi sh to be c he er ed or

charm ed , and h is eye, r ov in g d is co nt en tedl y o ver t he

s ub je ct s o f S iz ze ro o, c am e t o a s ur pr is ed s to p o n

Pansy.

" Wh at 's t hat?" h e cou gh ed , p oi nt in g a f in ger as

l on g a s a t el eg ra ph p os t a t t he K ing 's W at ch C at .

"I am a cat with my tail in a plait,

I w at ch o ut f or t he K in g a nd a t da nge r, c ry ' Sc at !'



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C an a g iant f in d any th in g w ro ng abo ut t hat?"

purred Pansy, delighted to find herself the center

o f a tt ra ct io n. N ow w he th er P an sy 's s au cy v er se , o r

t he r ed r ibb ons i n he r e ar s i rr it at ed t he gi ant a nd r e-

m in de d h im o f h is gr ie va nc e, I c an not s ay, I o nl y

kno w t ha t he ga ve a s udde n gr unt a nd t he n, b low -

i n g h is l ip s f ir st i n and t hen o ut , cri ed f ur io us ly ,

" Wr on g? E ve ry th in g i s w ro ng ! I d on 't c ar e a c oo ky

h ow you we ar your ha ir , t ri m up your c at s, ma ke

your fortunes or run your ridiculous island, except

whe n you r un i t i nto me . W ha t I c ar e a bout i s t hi s

b um p o n m y h ea d a nd f or t ha ~I 'l l t ak ~I 'l l- "

S av ag el y t he g la nc e o f L ox o r an ge d f ro m o ne e nd

of t he i sla nd t o t he ot he r, se ttl ing at l as t on a s ma ll

f igu re t ha t h ad j us t r un ou t of t he pa la ce a nd w as

s t an di ng q ui et ly b es id e t he K in g. " I' ll t ak e t hat b oy

t o l ace m y b oo ts ," h e r oared v in di ct iv el y. " An d I 'l l

take him now!"

H AP TE R 3

W ad dy F oo ls t he G iant

A T L ox o' s d read fu l d ecis io n t he K in g



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ga ve a b ou nc e t ha t di sl od ge d h is c ro wn a nd a

gr oan t hat l oo sened t hr ee o f h is f av or it e

t ee th . I nd ee d, t he w ho le i sl an d g ro an ed a s o ne ,

and i f y ou h av e n ev er b eard 7 69 U mb rell ians ,

46 c ows, 37 s hee p, 22 hor se s, 13 dogs , a herd

o f g oa ts a nd a f lo ck o f U mb re ll a B ir ds g ro an

as one , y ou c an h ave no i de a o f t he s or ro wf ul

sound that presently

ar os e f ro m t he s hu dd er in g s ub ject s o f S izzero o. B ut

I a m s ur e you c an unde rs ta nd i t whe n I e xpla in

t hat t he s mall f ig ur e i nd icat ed b y t he g iant w as t he

o nl y c hi ld o f t hi s I sl an d K ing . Ev en L ox o w as s ta r-

tl ed b y t he e ar -s ha tt er in g c ry a nd , w it h t he h an d h e

h ad r ea dy t o s na tc h t he c hi ld s ti ll p oi se d i n a ir , h e

blinked uncomfortably downward.

"Oh!" panted Sizzeroo. Taking advantage of the

s ho rt d el ay , h e t ur ne d f ir st t o B am bo ul a a nd t he n t o

K achewk a. " Wh at w ou ld y ou s ug gest ? W hat w ou ld

you advise?"

B am bo ul a h ad n ot s tr en gt h t o r ai se e ve n a d ru m

s ti ck , b ut K ac he wk a, f ee li ng t ha t W ad dy h ad b ee n

handling the giant with great cleverness until the

unfortunate interruption of Pansy, again sneezed

f iv e t im es . S o W ad dy , g iv in g t he cor d r ou nd h is

g reat w ai st a t remend ou s t ug again s tepp ed f or ward

t o s ee wha t c oul d be done .



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"Your Greatness is right," he shouted valiantly.

"I t w as i ne xc us ab ly c ar el es s f or u s t o h it y ou i n t he

h ead w it h o ur i sl an d and t hi s b oy "- Wadd y' s v oi ce

t remb led w oefu ll y as h e p oi nt ed t o t he l it tl e f ig ur e

b es id e S izzerr o - " th is b oy w il l m ak e b ut s mall

a me nd s f or s uc h a n i nj ur y. T he re fo re , I b eg t ha t

Y ou r G reat ness w il l g iv e u s t hr ee m on th s t o p repare

a nd t ra in hi m f or t he t as k a nd honor t ha t h as c om e

t o h im . T hr ee m on ths , 0 L ox o ! "

N ow , W ad dy 's v oi ce , l ou d b ut c oa xi ng , h ad a r e-

m ar kabl e eff ect o n t he s co wl in g g iant . H is h an d

d ro pp ed h ea vi ly t o h is s id e a nd w it h a s ol em n n od

h e r eg ar de d t he W iz ar d. A ft er a ll , t hr ee m on th s i s

b ut an hour t o a n ogre and the r eques t of Wa ddy

seemed reasonable enough.

" See t hat y ou t each h im w el l, t hen, " h e r um bl ed

t es ti ly. " It br ea ks my ba ck t o l ea n o ve r a nd l ac e my

bo ot s a nd I 'l l b re ak hi s i f h e d oe s i t w ro ng . I t ol er -

at e no knots , a nd if you do not ha ve the boy rea dy

i n t hr ee m on th s I w il l f ind yo u w he re ve r y ou a re ,

b re ak t he i sl an d o ff t hi s u mb re ll a a nd s ave i t up f or

a r ai ny d ay . M in d t ha t. R em em be r n ow , n o k no ts !"

" N ot a k no t, " p ro mi se d W ad dy i n a h ol lo w v oi ce .

S o t he g ia nt , a ft er a b al ef ul g la re a t S iz ze ro o, l et

g o t he h an dl e o f t he um br el la a nd s tr od e s ul ki ly t o-



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w ar d a m ou nt ai n h e s om et im es u se d a s a b en ch .

Umbrella Island, released from his horrid grip,

soared buoyantly aloft, then quickly righting itself

and g ui ded b y t he W izar d' s m ar velo us s teer in g con -

trol, sailed smoothly and rhythmically toward the set-

ting sun.

T he c lo ud s a nd e ve ni ng s ky h ad n ev er b ee n m or e

ro sy , b ut w it ho ut a g la nc e o r a t ho ug ht f or t he ir

beauty, the Umbrellians moved slowly toward their

h om es , p icki ng u p t heir s catt er ed b el on gi ng s as t hey

trudged along, casting sorrowful and frightened

g lances o ver t heir s ho ul ders at t he l it tl e g ro up o n

t he t err ace. I n s t un ned s i lence, S izzer oo h ad h eard

t he W izard 's p ro mi s e and w at ch ed t he g iant d ep ar t.

Turning to Waddy he pressed his hand convulsively.

" Ho w c an I e ve r t ha nk y ou ," w he ez ed t he p oo r

K in g i n a c ho ke d w hi sp er . " Yo u h av e, b y y ou r q ui ck

t ho ug ht a nd a ct io n, s av ed u s f ro m a h or ri bl e d is -

aster."

" On ly p os tp on ed i t, I f ear, " s ig hed W ad dy , l eani ng

heavily against the silver umbrella shaft.

"But anything may happen in three months," Barn-

boula reminded them hopefully. "A war-a fortu-

nate accident-"

" Ye s, a t l ea st y ou h av e g ai ne d u s s om e t im e, " a d-

mitted Kachewka grudgingly. "But the whole thing



21/206

i s p er fect ly p repo st er ou s and i mp os si bl e. I n t he f ir st

place"

" I' m a g ir l, " ann ou nced t he cal m v oi ce o f t he

King's only child, offspring, successor and descend-

a nt . " An d h ow c ou ld I l ac e t ha t f el lo w' s b oo ts w he n

I c ann ot e ve n b ra id m y o wn ha ir ?"

"Ye s, a nd t his i s wha t come s of we ar ing i t in one

b ra id l ik e a b oy a nd d as hi ng a bo ut w it ho ut s en se o r

ceremony," complained Kachewka, whom grief al-

w ay s m ad e c ro ss a nd s ar ca st ic . " Oh , w hy d id y ou

h ave t o com e r un ni ng o ut at t hat p ar ti cu lar m in ut e?

W hy c an y ou n ot s ta y q ui et ly i n t he c as tl e, e mb ro id -

e ri ng bi rds o n s cr ee ns a nd f an s or or r ea di ng . I

s up po se yo u we re r ea di ng a t t he t im e w e s tr uc k t he

giant?"

" O h y es ," s ig hed t he P ri nces s, h ol di ng u p t he h ug e

vo lu me s he s ti ll h ad clu tched u nd er h er arm . " So me-

t hi ng did knoc k me out of my c ha ir , but t he s tor y

w as s o i nt er es ti ng I d id n ot b ot he r a bo ut t ha t, b ut

w hen all t he p ictu res and o rn am en ts b eg an t o f al l

do wn o n m y h ea d, I t hou gh t I 'd b et te r c om e ou t a nd

s ee w ha t F at he r w as d oi ng ."

T hen r em em beri ng t he t er ri bl e f ri gh t s he h ad g ot

w he n s he f ir st c aug ht s igh t o f Lo xo , a nd a t t he a wf ul

thought of lacing his boots, the unfortunate child



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b egan t o cry s of tl y i nt o h er p ur pl e s il k h an dk er ch ief.

" No w on de r s he r us he d o ut o f t he c as tl e, " g ro an ed

S izzero o, t eari ng t he b ow o ff h is b eard and t hr ow in g

i t on t he gr oun d. " I m igh t ha ve k il le d y ou a ll , r us h-

i ng i nt o a g reat h ul k o f a g iant , k no ck in g every th in g

e as t a nd w es t. I t' s a ll m y f aul t! A ll m y f aul t. I 'l l

h av e m ys elf b eh ead ed at o nce. M ean der ! M ean der !

C al l t he execu ti on er . I am a m is er ab le, m ud dl ed ,

marble headed old monster!"

"Y es , b ut e ve n s o, w e a re m on st ro us ly f on d o f

you," sighed Waddy, waving the messenger away

and p icki ng u p t he s ob bi ng l it tl e P ri nces s. " Co me,

t he eveni ng s tar i s d ir ectl y o ver y ou r M aj es ty 's h ead.

I t i s a go od ome n! Co me , l et us r et ur n qui et ly t o t he

p al ace and t here i n s ol em n con ference, t ak e cou ns el

a nd d ev is e s om e p la n t o o ut wi t t hi s o ut ra ge ou s e n-

emy."

"How about supper?" purred Pansy, blinking her

e ye s s le ep il y. " I, f or o ne , c an no t t hi nk o n a n e mp ty

stomach."

"You were thinking with your stomach when you

m ade t h at v ers e, I s up po se, " s ug ges ted K ach ew ka,

s ta ri ng b it te rl y a t t he K in g' s W at ch C at . " Wh en I

s ne ez e f or s il en ce , I e xp ec t s il en ce . W ad dy w as p ro -

gressing splendidly when you put in your miserable

Pu rr . Y ou di d i t on p ur pos e a nd n ow t ha t you ha ve



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ruined everything, I hope you are satisfied."

" Ah , P an sy m eant n o h ar m, " S izzero o ass ur ed h im

h as ti ly . " If I h ad l is te ne d t o P an sy , w e w ou ld n ev er

h av e r un i nt o t he g iant ."

So, arguing and explaining and anxiously convers-

i ng , t he K in g and h is cou ns el or s ent er ed t he m an y-

w in do wed p al ace. H ere s i lk en coat ed , s of t s l ip per ed

att en dant s w er e alr eady eng ag ed i n r es t or in g o rd er ,

sweeping up broken glass, straightening pictures

and hangings, removing all trace of the unfortunate

acci dent t hat t hr eatened t o chang e t he w ho le h is to ry

of t he h ap py l it tl e i sl e.

C HA PT ER 4

The King's Counselors Disagree

I N t he g re at b lu e c ou nc il c ha mb er t he re w as n ot

a s ou nd e xc ep t t he s no re s o f M ea nd er , t he K in g' s

m es se ng er , a sl ee p o n a b en ch b es id e t he t hr on e,

a nd t he o cc as io na l s ne ez es o f K ac he wk a, w ho w as p or -

ing earnestly over the Encyclopedia of Giants, from

which he hoped to extract some helpful information

abo ut L ox o t he L ucky . S izzero o h ad f in al ly t ak en



24/206

P an sy 's adv ice and t he r oy al h ou seho ld h ad d in ed ,

though very sorrowfully.

Then, Reeda, the little Princess, after being solemnly

a ss ur ed t ha t s he wo ul d n ev er b e t ur ne d ov er t o t he

g ia nt , h ad g on e h ap pi ly t o be d w it h h er f av or it e v ol -

um e o f U nf ai ry T al es . S o f on d o f r ea di ng w as t he

K in g' s s mall d au gh ter t hat s he h ad b een j ok in gl y

n ickn am ed " Gu reed a B oo k" b y t he m er ry o ld W iz-

a rd, a nd i n s pi te o f t he a nn oy an ce o f K ac he wk a, wh o

w as a s ti ck le r f or d ig ni ty a nd o rd er , t he n am e h ad

s tu ck . N o w on de r! T hi s s tr an ge c hi ld w as n ev er

w it ho ut a h ug e s to ry b oo k a nd d ur in g a ll t he a ma z-

i ng v oy ag es o f U mb rell a I sl an d and even d ur in g t he

v is it s o f p ow er fu l k in gs and r ul er s, t he P ri nces s

c ou ld n ot be c oa xe d t o r ai se h er e ye s f ro m t he

p ri nt ed p ag e. L ik e m an y ano th er , G ur eed a p re-

ferred reading about adventures, to having them.

A nd n ow , s nu gg le d d ow n o n h er c oz y c an op ie d c ou ch

s he w as s oon s o e ngr os se d i n t he hi st or y of a s il ve r

d rago n t hat s he com pl et el y f or go t t he u gl y g iant

a nd h is b oo t l ac es .

B ut t he K in g, W ad dy , K achewk a and B am bo ul a

a nd a ll t he r es t o f t he U mb re ll ia ns c ou ld t hi nk o f

n ot hi ng els e. E ven P an sy , coi led u p o n t he w in do w

ledg e abo ve S izzer oo 's h ead, even P an sy , u su al ly s o

saucy and sociable, stared mournfully and silently



25/206

o ut at t he s tars as U mb rell a I sl an d s ki mm ed l ig ht ly

and s mo ot hl y and s ou nd less ly acr os s t he eveni ng s ky .

A s f or S izzer oo , h is app earance el oq uent ly ex-

p res sed h is f eel in gs . H is b rai ded b eard and w hi s kers

w er e t ie d w it h o ld s ho e s tr in gs ; i ns te ad o f h is c ro wn

he had on a sha bby bl ac k skull c ap a nd wore al so

t he g re y c ar pe t s li pp er s a nd s nu ff c ol or ed r ob e h e

h ad s o g lo om il y r es ol ve d u pon w he n h e r an i nt o t he

g ia nt . W it h h is e lb ow s r es ti ng o n t he c ar ve d t ab le i n

f ro nt o f h im , h e g lanced anx io us ly f ro m o ne t o t he

ot her o f h is cou ns el or s. W ad dy , h is p lu mp h an ds

clasp ed o n h is h ug e s to mach , w as s tari ng u nh ap pi ly

a t t he c ei li ng . B am bo ul a, h is d ru m o n t he f lo or b e-

t we en h is k ne es a nd a dr um s ti ck be hi nd e ac h e ar ,

l oo ked t ho ug ht fu ll y d ow n at t he car pet. N ei th er

s po ke , no r mo ve d a nd a ft er a n ho ur of t hi s ut te r

and awful silence. Sizzeroo could contain himself no

longer.

"Merciful Mariners!" cried the King, bounding

o ut o f h is s eat and t hu mp in g f rant ical ly o n t he t ab le.

" Ha ve yo u t hou gh t o f n ot hi ng y et ? W hy c an w e no t

s ai l a t f ul l s pe ed t o t he ot he r s ide of t he w or ld a nd

stay there?"

"Because" Kachewka looked morosely up from

th e h ug e v ol um e b ef or e h im -" it s ay s h er e t hat L ox o



26/206

i s p os se ss ed o f a m ag ic m ag ne t w it h w hi ch h e c an

d raw t o h im self any th in g h e d es ir es . I f, t herefo re,

we f ai l to r et urn of our own f re e wi ll , he c an f or ce

u s t o d o s o b y u si ng t hi s p ow er ful m agn et ."

" Ug h ! " F al li ng i nt o h is s eat, S izzero o clasp ed h is

hea d i n both ha nds . "The n wha t a re we to do? De-

s tr oy h im b y f or ce of a rm s? "

"Whose?" demanded Waddy practically. "Your

M aj es ty m us t r em em ber t hat o ur P ar as ho ot ers w ou ld

do s ma ll da ma ge t o a c re at ur e of t ha t s iz e a nd s ol id -

i ty. But b e p at ie nt , I b eg of yo u. A cr es o f hou rs

s tr etc h a he ad of us a nd i n due c our se we wi ll f ind

s om e w ay o ut o f t hi s d read fu l d il em ma."

" So t ha t' s w ha t yo u c al l i t," s ni ff ed t he K ing i n a

d es pe ra te v oi ce , a nd s ee in g h is M as te r w as o n t he

v er ge o f t ea rs , B am bo ul a b ea t a h as ty m ea su re o n

his drum.

"I have something to suggest now," announced

Bamboula, as all eyes turned hopefully toward him.

" I s ug ge st t ha t w e r is e a nd s in g t he N at io na l A n-

them."

"Umbrella Island, Low or High

Umbrella Island far or nigh

w here'er y ou r es t , w her e' er y ou f ly

On l and or s ea , on s ea or s ky, M y I sl and!"



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N ow c he er o ur s ag e K ac he wk a C he w

A nd t hr ee f or B am B ar n B ou la B oo .

Now one for me and one for you

A nd t hr ee m or e f or o ur i sl an d!

The vigorous rendering of the National Anthem

h ad s et every cur tain i n t he cou ncil chamb er afl ut ter

a nd e ve n a wa ke ne d M ea nd er , b ut S iz ze ro o d id n ot

e v en r ai se h is h ea d.

" Th er e, t here! D o y ou f eel any b et ter?" B am bo ul a

p att ed t he K in g s ym path et ical ly o n t he b ack.

"Worse," mumbled Sizzeroo, covering his face with

h is a rm s. " I d o n ot d es er ve t o l iv e l on g. T he re 's

s uc h a l ump i n m y t hr oa t I c ann ot e ve n s wa ll ow ."

" Mean der, j us t f et ch h is M aj es ty a cou gh d ro p, "

di rect ed K achewk a and s in ki ng i nt o h is chair , h e

again b eg an h is ear nest p er us al o f t he E ncyclo pedi a

o f G iant s. T hen, q ui te s ud denl y, t he K in g' s s ag e

sn at ch ed o ff h is s pe cs a nd s pr an g i nt o t he a ir .

" I h av e i t! I h ave i t! " h e s pu tt er ed , s na pp in g h is

fingers energetically and bursting into his usual

s pas m o f s neezes .

" Th e f lu -a f it o r an i dea?" i nq ui red W ad dy i nd ul -

gently.

"The solution of our difficulties," cried Kachewka,



29/206

controlling himself with a great effort. "As you

he ar d hi m s ay qu it e pl ai nl y, L oxo i s a c it iz en o f Oz

a n d t he re fo re s ub je ct t o i ts l aw s a nd s ov er ei gn . N ow

t he n, d o y ou f or o ne m in ut e s up po se t ha t O zm a, t he

ami ab le and charm in g y ou ng r ul er o f O z a r ul er

who m we ha ve he ar d pr ai se d o n a ll s ide s f or he r

g e nt le ne ss a nd w is do m - d o y ou s up po se O zm a w ou ld

pe rm it on e o f h er s ub je ct s t o e ns la ve on e o f our s f or

pernicious boot-lacing purposes? No, certainly not!"

K achewk a ans wered h im sel f t o s av e t im e and arg u-

m en t. " Th er efo re, o ur p ro cedu re i s cl ear. W e h av e

b ut t o a nc ho r o ve r T he E me ra ld C it y, O zm a' s c ap it al ,

send a r ep resent at iv e f ro m t hi s i sl an d t o exp lain t he

m at te r t o h er a nd h er a dv is er s a nd l et O zr na h er se lf

ha ndl e t hi s gr ea t r ogue of a gi ant. At t he c our t o f

O zma , a s you w ell know, i s t he f amou s Wi za rd of Oz .

S ho ul d L ox o r ef us e t o o be y t he r ul er o f h is c ou nt ry

a nd gi ve u p a ll c la im t o o ur Ki ng' s c hi ld, t he W iz ar d

ca n, b y h is m agi c, c ha ng e h im i nt o a pi gm y or go at

and r en der h im s af e and h ar ml es s. "

T he K in g, as K achewk a exp lain ed h is p lan, b ri gh t-

ened up considerably.

"Splendid! Splendid!" he murmured in a relieved

v oi ce . " Ru n up o n t he t er ra ce a t on ce , K ac he wka ,

a nd s et ou r c our se f or t he E me ra ld Ci ty o f O z."



30/206

"One moment, your Highness!" Waddy heaved

h im self s tern ly o ut o f h is chair . " Yo u w il l f ir st ac-

cep t m y r es ig nati on as W izar d o f t hi s I sl an d. "

" W- W- hat?" g ul ped S izzero o, t ak in g a h as ty s wal-

l ow f ro m t he g la ss o f w at er M ea nd er h ad b ro ug ht

w i th t he cou gh d ro p. " W hat ev er - an d- ever 's t he m at-

ter with you?"

" Well , i f y ou r M aj es ty h as n o con fi dence i n M E,

i f y ou i nt en d t o c al l i n s tr an ge w iz ar ds t o s et tl e o ur

a ff ai rs , I c ann ot s ee t ha t I a m ne ede d a ny l onge r-

er-professionally." Gathering his voluminous robe

t og et he r a nd s we ep in g u p h is b oo k o f m ag ic , W ad dy

s t ro de h eavi l y t ow ard t he d oo r.

" He's j ealo us ," p ur red P an sy , w av in g h er t ai l

b ac kw ar d a nd f or wa rd . " Th es e w iz ar ds a re w or se

than the women."

"Waddy!" wailed Sizzeroo, putting out a pleading

h an d. " Do n' t l ea ve m e t hi s w ay . Y ou k no w I w ou ld

n ot e ve n h ave m y h ai r c ut wi tho ut yo ur a dv ic e a nd

app ro val. A ft er all , K achewk a' s p lan w as m er el y a

suggestion!"

" An d a t hu mp in g g oo d o ne," p er si st ed K achewk a,

jerking his braided beard impatiently.

" I d o not s ay i t ha s n ot i ts poi nt s, " c onc ede d

W ad dy , s t op pi ng p om po us ly i n h is d oo rw ar d m ar ch ,

" bu t h av e y ou con si dered t he m at ter f ro m O zm a' s



31/206

Po in t o f v ie w? Af te r a ll , w e kn ow v er y l it tl e o f t hi s

Y ou ng a nd p ow er fu l g ir l r ul er . S he m ay b e a s k in d

a s y ou s ay, on t he o th er h an d, t he s tor ie s o f he r

k in dn es s m ay b e g reatl y exagg er at ed. W e d id k no ck

t he g ia nt o n t he f ac e. W il l s he o ve rl oo k t ha t e n-

tirely? She will certainly exact some satisfaction for

h is i nj ur y. W hy , s he m ig ht even h ol d u s f or i nv as io n

and trespassing."

" Bu t- bu t i sn 't t he air f ree?" q uavered S izzero o,

clasping and unclasping his hands unhappily.

" Fr ee t o b ir ds , b ut n ot t o i sl an ds . S up po se ," W ad -

d y w en t o n g ra ve ly , " su pp os e w e a nc ho re d o ve r t he

Emerald City without warning to the inhabitants.

B ef or e w e c ou ld s en d d ow n a m es se ng er , m ig ht n ot

O zm a a nd t hi s w on de rf ul w iz ar d t ak e u s f or e n-

e mi es , d ir ec t a d es tr uc ti ve r ay u po n u s o r e ve n t ra ns -

p or t o ur i sl an d t o s om e d is ta nt a nd d es ol at e o ce an ?"

" Oh ! O h! Y ou t er ri fy m e. " T he K in g d ow ne d a t

o ne gul p t he r es t of t he wa te r in his gla ss .

"Such is not my intention," continued the Wizard

c al ml y. " I m er el y w is h t o i mpr es s u pon y ou t he n e-

cessity for caution in dealing with strange sovereigns

a nd w iz ar ds . L et u s p ro ce ed s lo wl y a nd n ot s ti ck o ur

ne ck s i n a n oo se ."

" It m ig ht b e w el l t o con si der t hi s q uest io n f ur -



32/206

t her, " agr eed K ach ew ka. W ad dy 's d is m al p ict ur e o f

t h ei r r ec ep ti on i n O z h ad s om ew ha t d as he d t he o ld

sage's confidence.

" I knew you woul d f ee l a s I do a bout it ," s ighe d

Wadd y, cl ap pi ng K achewk a h eavi l y o n t he b ack.

" We s ti ll h av e t wo m on th s, t hi rt y d ay s, t welv e h ou rs

and s ev en m in ut es . L et u s s leep u po n t hi s p ro bl em ,

y ou r M aj es ty . L et u s s leep! "

" S leep !" g ro an ed p oo r S izzero o. " I s hall n ot clo se

an eye."

"Well," yawned Pansy, with a malicious wink at

th e W iz ar d, " we c an a t l ea st s hu t o ur m ou th s. " M is s-

i ng v er y cleverl y t he i nk w el l K achewk a f lu ng aft er

h er , t he W at ch C at s ta lk ed s ed at el y f ro m t he t hr on e

room.

C HA PT ER 5

S peedy and t he D in os aur

D ON 'T s e e a ny c amp Uncl e Bi ll y.

Ar e you s ur e we t oo k t he r ight t ur n a ft er we

left the springs?"

" A ccor di ng t o t hi s m ap w e d id ." E as in g

h im self f or ward i n t he s ad dl e, t he b oy 's t al l

and bronzed companion squinted anxiously



33/206


34/206

America."

" Oh , y ou and y ou r O z. " U ncle B il ly s ni ff ed g oo d

naturedly. "You never will get over it, will you?"

" I s ho ul d h op e n ot ." S peed y l ow er ed h is f ield g lass -

e s, wi th a b ro ad g ri n. " An d w he n yo u f in is h y ou r

s ec on d r oc ke t p la ne , w e' ll b ot h g o t he re ." I n h is

h ug e w or k s ho p o n L on g I sl an d, S pe ed y' s u nc le w as

ass em bl in g h is s econ d s ky ro ck et . T he f ir st h ad g on e

o ff t oo q ui ck ly , l eavi ng t he s ci en ti st b eh in d, b ut car -

r yi ng h is y ou ng n ep hew t o t hat f ar aw ay and f am ou s

F ai ry land o f O z. A ft er m os t amazi ng adv en tu res i n

Oz , S pe ed y h ad be en s en t ho me by Oz ma 's ma gi c

b el t. H om e, t o S peed y, m eant t he l ar ge r am bl in g

h ou se n ea r G ar de n C it y, L on g I sl an d, w he re h e h ad

l ive d w it h h is u nc le e ve r s inc e h e w as a s ma ll b oy

of tw o. Both of Spe edy' s par ents ha d be en l os t on a

S ou th S ea exp lo ri ng exp ed it io n, w hen t heir s hi p h ad

b een w recked i n a h ur ri can e. S peed y h im sel f, f or -

t u na te ly l ef t i n N ew Y or k w it h h is n ur se , h ad b ee n

p ro mp tl y ado pt ed b y t he f am ou s u ncle, f or w ho m h e

w as n am ed. B ut n o on e e ve r c al le d h im W il li am or

B il l. H is l ig ht ni ng s peed o n t he t rack and b as eb al l

f ield h ad b ro ug ht h im t he n ickn am e o f S peed y and

even U ncle B il ly h ad alm os t f or go tt en t hat t he b oy

w as n am ed f or h im .

U ncle B il ly 's f ul l n am e, and y ou m ay h av e h eard



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it yourself in scientific circles, was William I. Harm-

s tead and alt ho ug h h e w as an i nv en to r o f i mm en se

s ki ll and i nt er nati on al r ep ut at io n, h e w as as f on d o f

b as e-b al l and o th er o ut do or s po rt s as S peedy h im s el f ,

s o n o wo nd er t he t wo g ot o n we ll t og et he r a nd ne ve r

s eemed t o m is s t he u su al f am il y l if e enj oy ed b y o th er

people.

F or t wo y ea rs n ow , U nc le B il ly h ad b ee n w or ki ng

b us il y o n h is S ky ro ck et N um ber 2 . B ut p er fect in g

t h e i nt ri ca te m ec ha ni cs o f t he r oc ke t p la ne w as a

lo ng a nd t ed fo us t as k a nd wh en h e w as o rde re d t o

t ak e a n i mm ed ia te r es t b y h is d oc to rs , t he i nv en to r

had reluctantly dropped everything and brought

Sp ee dy t o Y el lo ws to ne P ar k. H er e, t he y h ad d on e

every th in g b ut r es t and , h av in g cov er ed t he p ar k

p re tt y t hor ou gh ly , w er e o n t he ir w ay t o j oi n t he

archaeological expedition of Professor Sanderson.

T he P ro fess or , an E ng li sh f ri en d o f S peed y' s

u ncle, h ad r ep or ted t he excit in g d is co very o f s om e

prehistoric remains in Wyoming, just beyond the

park limits. Prehistoric remains had sounded rather

a wf ul t o S pe edy, bu t hi s unc le wa s s o s et o n a vi si t

t o t he P ro fe ss or 's c am p t ha t h e h ad pr et end ed a n

i nt er es t h e w as f ar f ro m f ee li ng . H e m ea nt t o s pe nd

his time hunting, fishing and exploring the caves and



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cavern s o f t he d is tr ict, w hi le t he t wo s ci en ti st s t al ked

learnedly of jurassic, triassic and other unspellable

eras. D ig gi ng f or t he b on es o f p rehi st or ic m on st er s

s ee me d a d ul l a nd m on ot on ou s o cc up at io n t o t he a c-

tive young American.

" N ow i f i t w er e b ur ie d t re as ur e, " m us ed t he b oy

d ream il y t o h im self , as h is p on y p icked i ts w ay

w ar il y d ow n t he t reach er ou s s lo pe, " bu ri ed t r easu re,

o r l on g f or go tt en p ir at e c he st s, t ha t - w el l t ha t,

w ou ld b e d if ferent . B ut b on es !" S peed y w ri nk led

h is n os e w it h d is ta st e, a nd t he n a t a s ud de n e xc la ma -

t io n f ro m U ncle B il ly , u rg ed h is h or se f or ward .

" T he re ! S ee t ha t r ou gh c ab in b el ow a nd t he

t en ts ? T here's t he cam p, t here!" U ncle B il ly 's v oi ce

trembled with excitement and anticipation and

S p eedy f el t a s ti r o f cur io si ty and i nt er es t. A lt ho ug h

t h e S an de rs on c am p w as n ow p la in ly i n v ie w, i t t oo k

an h ou r' s cau ti ou s r id in g t o b ri ng t hem d ow n t o

ed ge o f t he s tr ea m t ha t r an b eh in d t he P ro fe ss or 's

cab in . T he s to ny l it tl e v al ley w as m ar ked b y t he

same brilliantly colored rock and mineral formation

t ha t m ar ke d t he Y el lo ws to ne . T he re w er e f ew t re es ,

s carcel y any v eg et at io n and a s tr on g s mell o f s ul -

p hu r hu ng i n t he a ir . I n a ddi ti on t o t he m ai n c ab in

t he re w er e s ev en t en ts a nd a r ou gh s he lt er b ui lt o ve r

a h ug e t ar paul in -cov er ed m ou nd i n t he cen ter o f t he



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encampment. Various tools and excavating instru-

m en ts l ay s ca tt er ed a bo ut , b ut t he re w as n o s ig n

any wh er e o f t he P ro fes so r o r h is ass oci at es .

Dismounting stiffly, Speedy and his uncle hurried

f ro m t en t t o t en t, i n h op es o f f in di ng s om eo ne . I t

w as l on g p as t n oo n a nd t he y w er e b ot h l oo ki ng f or -

w ar d t o a h ea rt y w el co me a nd a n a pp et iz in g l un ch .

" Do y ou s up po se t he y' ve g on e f or g oo d? " a sk ed

S pe ed y, a s t he y p us he d op en t he d oo r o f t he c abi n.

"Aha! A note!" Conspicuously displayed on the

ro ug h t ab le i n t he c en te r o f t he o ne -r oo me d s ha ck

w as a l ar ge s he et o f w hi te p ap er . S na tc hi ng i t u p

h as ti ly , S pe ed y h an de d i t o ve r t o h is u nc le .

" Dear W il l: H av e g on e b ack i nt o t he h il ls t o v er if y

some important data. Make yourselves comfortable.

Y ou 'l l f in d p le nt y t o e at o n t he s he lv es a nd j us t u se

t h is p lace as y ou r o wn . B ack t o- mo rr ow . F ai th fu ll y,

Paul."

" I h op e h e l ef t u s s om et hi ng b et te r t ha n d at a, "

grumbled Speedy, as his uncle finished reading the

n ot e. H e h ad h ad s om e r at her d is ap po in ti ng d in ners

with Uncle Billy's scientific friends. "I'm starved!"

" Oh , w e' ll s oo n cur e t hat. " U ncle B il ly eyed t he

shelves critically. "Let's see, here's coffee, canned

b ea ns , c an ne d t om at oe s, c ra ck er s, c he es e, j am a nd



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s ug ar . Y ou j us t u ns ad dl e t he h or se s, m y b oy , a nd

br ing in s ome wood a nd I 'l l ha ve di nne r r ea dy i n a

jiffy."

Be yon d t he l as t t en t t he re w as a r ough s he d f or

t he h or ses , and aft er u ns add li ng t he w eary b eas ts ,

gi vi ng t he m a dr ink a nd a good m ea sur e of oa ts a nd

b r an , S pe ed y g at he re d u p s om e f ir ew oo d a nd h ur -

r ie d b ac k t o t he P ro fe ss or 's s ha ck . T ru e t o h is w or d,

U nc le B il ly h ad s et t he t ab le w it h t he c ru de b ut u se -

f ul c am p w ar e a nd w as n ow b us il y o pe ni ng c an s,

Slicing bread and measuring out coffee.

Li ght ing a f ir e i n t he s ma ll s to ve w as t he w or k

b ut a m om en t and i n s pi te o f t heir d is ap po in tm en t

i n f in di ng n o on e a t h om e, t he t ra ve ll er s w er e s oo n

enjoying a merry and satisfying meal. After

clearing away the dishes and putting everything

apple-pie order, Uncle Billy settled himself calmly

on t he s te ps o f t he c ab in . L ig ht in g h is p ip e, h e g az ed

d ream il y o ff i nt o t he d is tance, s eein g n ot t he cur io us

a nd l ov el y c ol or s o f t he r oc k s tr at a b ef or e h im , b ut

the intricate and to him still lovelier conglomeration

o f m et al t ub es , w he el s, r od s a nd p is to ns t ha t m ad e

u p h is b el ov ed r ocket p lane. S peedy , af ter cast in g

a s pe cu la ti ve l oo k a t t he s tr ea m a nd w on de ri ng j us t

w hat i t o ff er ed i n t he w ay o f f is h, clatt er ed n oi si ly

d ow n t he f ou r p la nk s te ps .



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" Ge e w hi sk er s, U nc ! A re y ou g oi ng t o s it h er e a ll

aft er no on l ik e a o ne-l eg ged s ail or ? C om e o n, l et ' s

loo k a roun d a nd s ee i f we c an s ti r u p s om e f un. "

"Fun?" Uncle Billy looked vaguely disturbed. "I'm

s ur e t he re i s n ot hi ng o f t ha t s or t a ro un d h er e, a nd

be si de s d on 't y ou t hi nk i t w ou ld b e m or e p ol it e f or

u s t o w ai t f or t he P ro fe ss or ?"

"Huh! Polite people usually get left," observed

S peed y, w ho h ad l earn ed t hi s d is con cert in g f act t he

p revi ou s s um mer at cam p. " Yo ur P ro fes so r w as n ot

ve ry poli te t o us , s o fa r a s I ca n se e, a nd wha t' s

the harm in looking at things?"

W it h a s ig h U nc le B il ly r os e, t ap pe d t he a sh es

f ro m h is p ip e and s tart ed r es ig nedl y aft er h is t ir e-

less young nephew. Without bothering with the tents

or w or k s he ds , S pe ed y w as h ea di ng s tr ai gh t f or t he

can vas ~cov er ed m ou nd u nd er t he w oo den s helt er i n

t he c ent er o f t he c am p. T he c an va s w as pe gg ed

d ow n s ec ur el y a nd a r ou gh ly p ri nt ed t ag w as t ie d

to t he l ar ge st p eg .

" Co mp lete s kelet on and b on es o f a m ezozoi c d in o-

saur . U neart hed an d as semb led b y P au l S an ders o n,

F.R.G.S. F.Z.S."

"Why all the initials?" inquired Speedy, raising

one e ye br ow . " I' ll be t i t me ans he wa s Fr ight ed b y a



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Green Snake Friday, Zeptember Seventeenth."

" Th os e i ni ti al s s ho w he i s a F el lo w o f t he Ro ya l

Geographic and Zoological Societies of England," re-

p li ed U nc le B il ly c al ml y. " And s o t he se a re t he p re -

historic remains. Wonder what they'll look like?"

" Th at r em ai ns t o b e s een, " chu ck led S peed y, w ig -

gling one of the pegs experimentally.

" No t t il l t he P ro fess or r et ur ns ," s ai d h is u ncle,

shaking his head firmly.

" Wha t? N ot e ve n o ne l it tl e p ee k? A w, U nc !

What harm would it do to lift a couple of pegs and

f ind o ut w ha t s or t o f a di no t hi s m ig ht b e? "

"Well-" Uncle Billy sniffed guardedly, but his

cur io si ty w as f as t g et ti ng t he b es t o f h is cau ti on .

" I do n' t s uppo se i t wo ul d do a ny r ea l ha rm . I u nd er -

s ta nd t he b on es h av e b ee n a ir c on di ti on ed a nd t re at -

e d t o r es is t mo is tu re . I n f ac t, Pa ul w rot e m e t ha t

t h ey w er e all r eady f or s hi pm en t. "

"Here's a pulley," volunteered Speedy, recognizing

the unmistakable signs of weakening in his only

r el at io n, f am il y and g uard ian. " Al l w e h av e t o d o

i s l oo se n t he p eg s, r ol l u p t he c an va s a nd t he re h e' ll

b e! " S pe ed y m ig ht h av e s av ed h is b re at h, f or U nc le

Billy was already removing the pegs with swiftness

a nd p re ci si on . S o t he b oy b en t h is e ff or ts t o w in di ng

u P t he c an va s c ov er in g a nd i n l es s t ha n t we nt y



41/206

minutes they were gazing breathlessly at an orderly

ar ray o f i mm en se y el lo wed b on es . E ach b on e w as

n ub er ed and t ag ged and t he cur i ou s col lecti on r est -

e d on a s of t be d of c eda r s havi ngs .

" Ju st l ik e a j ig s aw p uzzl e, " m us ed S peed y, w is t-

fully touching one of the tremendous curving ribs.

" Wo ul dn 't i t b e k ee n f un t o p ut i t t og et he r? W ha t

d i d t hese o ld w an gu ses l oo k l ik e, any way?"

D ra wi ng a s ma ll n ot e b oo k f ro m h is p oc ke t, U nc le

Bi ll y s ketched t he cru de m od el o f a d in os au r- th at

strange, flat-headed monster with a long snake-like

n ec k, s ho rt f ro nt l eg s, l on g b ac k l eg s a nd a n i m-

mense and powerful tail.

"A bit kangarooish," decided Speedy, squinting

knowingly at the sketch. "Look, Uncle Billy, those

t ai l bone s a re j us t li ke a l ad de r wi th t he e dge s i n

th e c en te r. I 'l l b et w e c ou ld f it t hi s b ig B on ap ar te

t og et he r i n a n h ou r. W ha t d o y ou s ay ?"

"Humph," grunted his uncle thoughtfully, "it

w ou ld n' t b e m uc h u se p la ci ng t he b on es o n t he

g ro un d i n o rd er -t he t wo s id es w ou ld a ll p il e u p

together."

"O h, t hat w ou ld n' t m att er, " ans w er ed S peedy r eck -

l es sl y. " It w ou ld b e g ra nd f un a nd w oul d gi ve u s a

f in e n ot io n o f t he c re at ur e' s s iz e. L oo k! Y ou s ta rt



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43/206

bird cage."

" An d j us t abo ut r ig ht f or a b ir d l ik e y ou ," s mi led

U nc le B il ly, h al f c los ing hi s e ye s a s he s et a hu ge

s hi n b on e i n i ts e xa ct a nd c or re ct p os it io n. I n s il en ce

t hey w ield ed and arr an ged t he t remend ou s r ib s, and

t he l eg s a nd c la ws h av in g a lr ea dy b ee n s et i n p la ce ,

d rew b ack t o adm ir e t hei r h an di wo rk .

"Just an hour," announced Uncle Billy, snapping

o pe n h is w at ch , " an d t he re 's a no th er h ou r b ef or e

sun -dow n, s o we ha d be tt er m ix up t hi s ol d J ig Sa w

Bon es a nd pu t h im ba ck t o be d. "

" I o nl y wi sh I c ou ld h av e s ee n a l ive on e," m us ed

S peed y, s tepp in g i n clo ser, " yo u k no w, I w is h- "

W hat S peed y w is hed, U ncle B il ly n ev er k new, f or

f ir st t here w as a d eafeni ng exp lo si on , t hen t he

g ro un d o n a ll s id es b eg an t o c ra ck a nd t re mb le a nd ,

w it h t he r us h o f an eru pt in g v ol cano , a l on g d or mant

but tremendously powerful geyser burst through the

ear th 's s ur face, catapu lt in g t he b oy and t he d in o-

s au r alo ft i n a s mo ki ng , r oari ng p ho sp ho rescen t t or -

rent.

S pe ed y, a lm os t k no ck ed s en se le ss b y t he f or ce o f

t he e xp lo si on , h al f d ro wn ed a nd c ho ke d b y t he s ca ld -

i ng s pr ay , f ou nd h im self s ho ot in g s ky ward at a

t er ri fi c p ac e a nd i n a ll t he r us h a nd c on fu si on wa s



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scar cely con scio us o f h ol di ng f as t t o a m ig ht y r ib

o f t he d in os au r. B ut t o t ha t r ib h e w as c li ng ing a s

de spera tel y as a sa ilor cl ings to a spar of wood in a

s hi p- wr ec k, b ot h e ye s s hu t a nd h is t ee th c la mp ed

tightly together.

Af te r w ha t s ee me d t o be ho ur s a nd ho ur s o f s ky -

r o ck et i ng , S peedy caut i ou sl y o pened o ne eye, and

you can imagine his astonishment to find himself

o ccup yi ng t he g iant b ir d cag e m ad e b y t he d in os au r' s

chest cavity, while, rattling along like castanets,

c am e t he r es t o f t he m on st er s ke le to n, f or t he b on es

had been miraculously and correctly welded together

b y t he ho t m ol te n m in er al s o f t he ge ys er . A l ar ge

wedge of the transparent mineral formation had

c lo se d t he o pe ni ng w he re t he r ib s e nd ed a nd t hr ou gh

t he b on y b ar s o f t hi s d is mayi ng p ri so n S peed y l oo ked

wildly at the rapidly changing sky line.

T he g ey ser h ad f in al ly s pent i ts el f, b ut t he i mp et us

given its two victims still kept them hurling upward.

Realizing only vaguely what had happened, Speedy

peer ed o ut t hr ou gh t he m on st er 's r ib s, g ro an in g as

h e r ef lect ed t hat all t he d is tance t hey w er e t ravell in g

u pw ar d t he y w ou ld p lu ng e b ac k w he n t he f or ce o f

the geyser was finally exhausted.

" A nd w ha t a c ra sh t ha t w il l b e, " s hu dd er ed t he

little boy, shivering with fright and discomfort. At



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f ir st , h e h ad b ee n n ea rl y s ca ld ed i n t he s te am in g t or -

r ent of t he ge ys er a nd no w he f elt ke enl y t he c ol d

bla sts of the uppe r air . He was s o taken up wi th hi s

o wn w oe s a nd b ew il de rm en ts t ha t h e w as s ca rc el y

aware of a high complaining voice, whistling past

h is e ar s w it h t he w in d.

"Oh, wha t am I doing up he re s o li ght a nd s o diz zy-

like?" wailed the voice plaintively. "What is this

l um p i n m y chest t hat k eeps k no ck in g again st t he

ri bs ? Did I s wal low a rock or a turt le ? Am I c at ch-

i ng o ld mo ni a o r w ha t e ve r? W he re a m I ? W he re

was I? Let me go back! Oh, my dear self, let me

t h in k! N ow t he n, t he l as t t hi ng I r em em be r w as

n ib bl in g t he d el icio us t op o f a f ru gamu nt t ree. T hen

-then-!"

The fossil's voice rose in triumphant little

s cr ee ch es . " I r em em be r n ow ! I r em em be r, a m o-

g er it h r us he d u po n m e, j us t a s m y d ea r m am a t ol d

m e i t w ou ld s om e d ay . I t f as te ne d i ts l on g t ee th i n

m y n ec k. A ll b ec am e d ar k. I k ne w n ot hi ng a nd y et ,

if that was the end of me, what am I doing up here?

At le as t, my bone s a re he re . I ca n thi nk, I c an s pea k,

I ca n fl y, but what was my name? Who was I? Who

a m I ? W h~ oo oo o! "

A s t he m on st er cri ed " wh o" i n i ts f earf ul h ol lo w



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48/206

h is e ye s i n s ur pr is e. " Oh , I d on 't m in d, " h e a dd ed

g en er ou sl y. " It i s r at her p leas an t g oi ng , i f y ou

ask m e. "

" Ye s, b ut w e' ll s oo n b e g oi ng t he o th er w ay ,"

m oaned S peed y. A lr eady h e f el t t heir v el ocit y b eg in

t o s la ck en. " Th en w e' ll f al l a nd c ra sh t o p ie ce s. "

"Why?" demanded Terrybubble, argumentatively.

" Becaus e every th in g t hat g oes u p m us t com e

down," explained the little boy, after a thoughtful

pause.

" H ow a bo ut h an gi ng o n t o s om e o f t he se m ou n-

tains?" asked the dinosaur, with surprising intelli-

g en ce f or a c re at ur e w it h a h ol lo w h ea d.

" Th ey are n ot hi ng b ut clo ud s, and w e' d j us t f al l

through them," said Speedy.

" Nevert heless , I s hall t ry i t, " d eclared T er ry bu b-

b le, cli ck in g h is j aw s d et er mi nedl y. " Ah a! H er e' s

o ne n ow ." A nd t he n ext m om en t he a ct ua ll y h ad

t ri ed i t a nd t o S pe ed y' s a ma ze me nt , i ns te ad o f p lu ng -

i ng t hr ou gh t he g reat p ur pl e clo ud t hat h un g l ik e

a f eath er y i sl an d i n t heir p at h, t he d in os au r w as

climbing stolidly and unconcernedly aboard.

C HA PT ER 6

Terrybubble's Island



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" Oh n ow , t hi s can 't l as t, " m ut tered S peed y, w il dl y,

a s T er ry bu bb le d re w h is l on g b la ck l eg s o ve r t he

e d ge of t he c loud. " Th is c an' t b e t ru e. I m us t

h ave h it m y h ea d o n a b one . I 'm d el ir io us o r d re am in g! "

B ut i n s pi te o f t hese m is gi vi ng s, h is eno r-

mous and enterprising steed stepped solidly

a nd q ui te s af el y a lo ng t he s ur fa ce o f t he c lou d.

Th e f os si l w al ke d l ike a m an , e re ct o n h is h in d l eg s,

h is f ro nt l eg s, o r r at her h is f ro nt b on es , j ig gl in g

noisily in the wind.

"Why, it's an island!" gasped Speedy, glancing

d ow n a t t he s an d a nd p eb bl es c ru nc hi ng b en ea th t he

m on st er 's claws . " An i sl an d, b ut w hat i s an i sl an d

d oi ng i n t he s ky ?" T er ry bu bb le h ad n o i de as t o o ff er

o n t hi s s ub je ct , b ut h e s to pp ed s ol em nl y i n h is t ra ck s

a nd l ooke d ba ck a t Spe ed y. I t h ad b ee n l at e a ft er -

n oon w he n t he ge ys er f lu ng t he m i nt o t he a ir . N ow ,

i t wa s night , a nd by t he l ight of t he moon a nd s ta rs ,

which seemed dazzlingly bright and near, the little

boy nervously examined the tropical scenery of this

island, which had so miraculously saved them from

des tr ucti on . T he p or ti on h e cou ld s ee w as ent ir el y

d eser ted an d, s o mew hat r eas s ur ed, h e b eg ged T err y -

b ubbl e t o s ta y wh er e he wa s, w hi le he t ri ed t o f ind



50/206

so me w ay o ut o f h is b on y p ri so n. T he h ar de ne d

f or ma ti on o f m in er al l ef t b y t he g ey se r b at h h ad n ar -

r ow ed t he w id e s pa ce s b et we en t he d in os au r' s r ib s,

b ut aft er exami ni ng t hem all , S peed y f ou nd o ne

S pace l arg er t han t he o th ers . H er e, T er r yb ub bl e

s ho we d h is p re se nc e o f m in d, p ro vi ng t ha t a ir d oe s

as w el l a s a ny o th er s tu ff f or br ai ns , b y ha nd in g t he

l it tl e b oy a l on g, t ou gh v in e. K no tt in g t hi s aro un d

o ne o f t he r ib s, S pe ed y s qu ee ze d t hr ou gh t he n ar ro w

apert ur e and s li d t hank fu ll y t o t he g ro un d, w here

h e s to od f or s om e m om en ts , r eg ar di ng h is g ig an ti c

co mp an io n. H e cou ld n ot h el p f eeli ng a cer tain p ri de

i n T er ry bu bb le , f or h ad h e n ot , a ft er a ll , b ee n r e-

sponsible for putting the prehistoric monster to-

g et her ? T he d in os au r o n h is p ar t con si dered t he

little boy with frank affection and approval.

" Wh at n ow ?" h e chatt er ed , s et tl in g b ack com fo rt -

a b ly o n h is p ow er fu l t ai l b on es . " It 's b ee n s o l on g

s in ce I w as a li ve , I r at he r f or ge t a bo ut l if e. J us t

what do I do and how do I do it? Let me see, now,

there was, of course, eating, drinking, hunting, fight-

in g and d yt hr am bi cs . S hall w e d o a l it tl e d yt hr am b-

mg, boy?"

" No t n ow , n ot n ow !" exclaim ed S peed y, t o w ho m

the word sounded dreadfully alarming. "And say,

c al l m e S pe ed y, o ld f el lo w. T he f ir st t hi ng t o d o i s



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t o k ee p v er y q ui et t il l w e s ee w he th er w e' re a mo ng

f ri en ds o r enemi es , t ho ug h even i f w e are amo ng

enemies," Speedy grinned suddenly, "with you along

I' d h av e n ot hi ng t o f ea r. T he y' d p ro ba bl y t ak e t o

t he ir he el s a t f ir st s ig ht o f y ou . Y ou k now , r ea ll y

Terrybubble, you are positively gruesome."

" I t ho ug ht I g rew s om e m ys el f, d ur in g t hat ex-

plosion," admitted Terrybubble, waggling his head

i n i mm en se s at is fact io n. " An d I l ik e t hese eyes s o

m uch b et ter t han t he o ld o nes, " h e con fi ded can di dl y.

"T he y l ig ht u p be tt er a nd w e c an s ee e ac h ot he r no

m at te r h ow d ar k i t g ro ws ."

" Bu t w on 't y ou m is s y ou r b od y? " a sk ed S pe ed y

after a little silence, during which he settled himself

w it h hi s b ac k c oz il y a ga in st a s an d d un e.

" No t at all ," t he d in os au r ass ur ed h im p ro mp tl y.

" Wi th ou t a s to ma ch , I 'l l b e s pa re d a ll t he b ot he r o f

eat in g, and I f eel l ig ht er , s om eh ow , w it ho ut all t ho se

o th er o rg an s and al l t hat w ei gh t abo ar d- mo re f ree

and d yt hr am bi c, i f y ou k no w w hat I m ean, t ho ug h

I c an no t u nd er st an d h ow I a m a li ve w it ho ut a h ea rt

t o be at . De ar Ma ma a lw ays t ol d m e i f a mo ge ri th

g ot t he be st of me , m y he ar t woul d s top be at ing, my

br ea th w ou ld s to p a nd t ha t wo ul d be t he e nd. We ll ,

a mo ge ri th di d ge t me , m y br ea th di d s top, but i t



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d es ir e t o f al l asl eep. " Un cl e B il ly h el ped m e p ut

Y ou r b on es t og et her. Y ou r eall y d id p er is h w hen

th at m og er it h b it y ou , T er ry bu bb le, and w er e o ut

o f t hi ng s f or t ho us an ds o f y ea rs ," h e t ol d t he d in o-

s au r s ol em nl y. " Th en a P ro fe ss or c ha p d ug u p a nd

c ol le ct ed a ll of your bo ne s t o s end t o a m us eum .

U n cl e B il ly a nd I h ap pe ne d t o v is it t he p la ce w he re

he had them and while he was away we put you

t og et he r t o s ee h ow y ou 'd l oo k. T he n t ha t g ey se r

cam e exp lo di ng alo ng , g lu ed y ou t og et her and b lew

u s b ot h s ky h ig h. "

"But what is a geyser?" whistled Terrybubble,

p ul li ng w it ho ut eff or t t he t op l eaf f ro m a n earb y

palm and drawing it reflectively through his teeth.

" Well , i t' s a s or t o f w ar m, b ub bl in g m in er al

s pr in g, " s ai d S peed y s lo wl y, " bu t t hi s g ey ser w as

m or e l ik e a v ol ca no , a nd i t m us t h av e b ee n d if fe re nt

f ro m e ve ry o th er g ey se r, f or i t b ro ug ht y ou t o l if e

aft er y ou 'd b een d ead f or cen tu ri es and cent ur ies. "

"I n ot he r wor ds , my b one s s pr ang t o l if e i n a ,

warm exploding mineral spring. Nothing so strange

about that," decided the dinosaur comfortably.

" Li fe i s f ul l o f s pr in g and s pr in gs are f ul l o f l if e, b ut

i sn 't i t f or tu nate I h av e s uch b eaut if ul b on es ?"

"Well," chuckled Speedy, wishing someone were



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aro un d t o h ear t hi s com ical con vers at io n, " so l on g

as y ou 'r e s at is fi ed ! A nd t o t hi nk "- th e l it tl e b oy

cou ld n ot con tr ol a s ud den b ur s t o f l au gh ter- "t o

t hi nk I w an te d a w ir e- ha ir ed f ox t er ri er f or a p et !"

R ol li ng o ver, S peed y t hu mp ed b ot h h an ds i n t he

sand. "Oh, my goodness, gracious grandfathers!"

" Wh y c an no t I b e a p et ?" d em an de d T er ry bu bb le ,

r eari ng u p h is h ead chall en gi ng ly . " Wh at d oes a

w i re -h ai re d t er ri er d o t ha t I c an no t a ls o a cc om -

p li sh ?" T he t ho ug ht o f T er ry bu bb le a s a p et s en t

Speedy into another muffled gale of laughter. Then

l oo ki ng u p and s eein g t he p oo r f os si l l oo ki ng v er y

sorrowful, he felt rather ashamed of himself.

" A w ir e- ha ir ed t er ri er i s o nl y a l it tl e d og , b ut h e

c an c ha se c at s, f et ch s ti ck s a nd b al ls , b ar k a t b ur -

gl ar s, s le ep on t he f oot o f t he b ed, s or t of f ol low a

f el lo w aro un d and b e a chu m, " S peed y exp lain ed

hurriedly.

" I can b e a chu m, " ass er ted t he d in os au r s ti ff ly .

He ha d no t t he f ai nt es t i de a wh at t he wor d m ea nt ,

b ut w as d et er mi ne d t o b e o ne a ny wa y. " Sh ow m e

a c at , I 'l l c ha se i t, a nd a s f or f ol lo wi ng y ou a ro un d,

I can carry you any place you want to go in my

chest."

"That's so," agreed the little boy, thoughtfully. "I

b el ie ve y ou' re goi ng t o be a gr ea t bi g he lp t o me ,



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con vi nced t he b oy t hat t he i sl an d w as s ti ll m ov in g,

but resolving to leave all explorations till after

b reak fast , h e b ui lt h im self a s mall f ir e w it h s om e

o f t he w oo d, a te t wo o ra ng es , t wo ba na na s a nd a ft er

T er ry bu bb le h ad c ra ck ed o pe n t wo o f t he c oc oa nu ts

on a r oc k, t ook a l ong dr au gh t o f t he s we et s at is fy -

ing juice.

" It 's a m ea n s ha me y ou c an 't e at ," m ur mu re d

Speedy regretfully, as Terrybubble sat quietly watch-

i ng hi m, " bu t d ra w up t o t he f ir e, o ld f el low a nd

warm your bones and I ask you, is this c ozy or is it

not?"

Terrybubble, drawing cautiously nearer, nodded

h is g reat s ku ll . " Th at r ed crack li ng p lant y ou h av e

s ta rt ed w it h t he s ti ck s m ak es m e f ee l v er y m uc h l ik e

snorting," he announced dreamily. "Would it be all

r ig ht t o s no rt a b it and r um bl e? T hen I 'l l l eap l ig ht ly

ov er y ou r h ea d a nd s pi n s ev en ty t im es r ou nd o n t he

ti p of m y t ai l, r oll ove r on my ba ck a nd- "

" No t n ow - n ot n ow !" S pe ed y' s v oi ce w as s ti ll

cheerful but slightly strained. "We'd better not have

a ny of t ha t s or t of t hi ng ti ll we s ee whe re we a re ,

ol d f el lo w. A nd t he s oon er w e l oo k a ro un d, t he be t-

ter."

" W el l, j us t as y ou s ay ." T er ry bu bb le l oo ked l on g-



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"This giant drives us to distraction,

W e d on 't w an t w or ds , w ha t w e w an t' s a ct io n! "

a nn ou nc ed P an sy , w ho w as i n h er u su al p la ce o n t he

King's shoulder.

"W ell , the bes t w ay to a ct a t a t ime l ike t hi s," put

i n B am bo ul a, execu ti ng a d ou bl e r ap -t ap o n h is d ru m,

" is t o pr oc ee d a s i f no thi ng a t a ll ha d ha pp ene d. Le t

us b e h ap py a nd c he er ful a nd , t o r es to re ou r o wn

co nf id en ce and t he con fi dence o f o ur s ub ject s, all ow

m e t o s ug ge st a g ra nd p ro ce ss io n a ro un d t he i sl an d,

a p ro ces si on w it h f lags , f lo wers , b an ds , b al lo on s and

b on -b on s. Y ou r M aj es t y and t he P ri nces s w il l , o f

c ou rs e, l ea d o ff i n t he s il ve r s ed an , c ar ri ed b y s ix te en

b earers , y ou r g uard s, cou ns el or s and cou rt iers w il l

b e f ol lo we d b y t he b oy a nd g ir l b ri ga de s, t he p ar a-

s ho ot ers and t he m ou nt ed g uard s and -"

" Bu t p ro cess io ns m ak e m e s o t ir ed ," com pl ai ned

t he K in g; d rawi ng h is h an d w eari ly acr os s h is f or e-

head.

"Then you can sleep," proposed Bamboula brightly.

" Wh il e y ou 'r e asl eep y ou 'l l n ot b e w or ry in g and

w hi le y ou 'r e n ot w or ry in g t he p lan o f o ur W izar d

will be simmering, and simmering."

"We'll all be simmering," sniffed Kachewka sour-



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l y. " Th e s un 's h ot n ow , a nd w ha t g oo d a p ro ce ss io n

w il l d o~ Ch ew , C hew K achew! " T he v er y t ho ug ht o f

m ar ch in g s o ear ly i n t he m or ni ng m ad e t he o ld cou n-

s el or s neeze w it h v ex at io n. B ut S izzero o w as alr eady

f av or ab ly con si deri ng t he i dea, s o M eand er w as d is -

p at ch ed t o w ak en t he P ri nces s, and B am bo ul a, f ul l

of importance and jollity, began assembling the

ma rc he rs . S o s ki ll ed a nd c le ve r w as t he K in g' s S u-

je st er a t t hi s s or t o f c el eb ra ti on t ha t b y n in e o 'c lo ck

a glittering and impressive array of Umbrellians

stood impatiently awaiting the signal to start. And

t hat s ig nal, f ou r l ou d t ap s o n B am bo ul a' s d ru m, w as

g iv en j us t a s S iz ze ro o' s s il ve r s ed an w as b or ne r ap -

i dl y d ow n t he t er race b y t he K in g' s s ix teen s talw ar t

bearers.

H is H ig hn es s and G ur eeda, d ress ed i n s il ver em-

b ro id er ed r ob es , r od e cal ml y i n t he r oy al p al an qu in ,

w av in g g raci ou sl y t o t he p op ul ace d rawn u p o n each

s id e o f t he K in g' s H ig hw ay -G ur eeda a l it tl e abs en t-

l y, f or s he w as s ti ll d eepl y eng ro ss ed i n h er U nf ai ry

Tal es . At her fe et l ay a gre at hea p of re d r ose s a nd

ea ch time she ca me to the end of a pa ge , t he charm-

i ng b ut d ream y l it tl e P ri nces s w ou ld t hr ow a r os e

to one of Sizzeroo's wildly applauding subjects.

T he com bi ned b an ds o f t he i sl an d f il led t he air

with lively marching tunes, and Sizzeroo, tossing



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into the singing of the National Anthem.

B et we en e ac h s ec ti on B am bo ul a h ad p la ce d a c om -

p an y o f b an ds me n. B al lo on s, r el ea se d b y t he r e-

sourceful Su-jester from time to time, soared dizzily

u p amo ng t he p al ms and U mb rell a I sl an d, m ov in g

steadily and buoyantly through the clear spring sky,

s ee me d a lm os t t oo s ma ll t o h ol d s o m uc h g ai et y a nd

h ap pi ne ss . S iz ze ro o w as s o c on te nt h e c lo se d h is e ye s

for a moment, thinking dreamily of the glamorous

o ld d ay s and f or gett in g all abo ut t he anx io us n ew .

T o b e p er fect ly t ru th fu l, h is M aj es ty f el l f as t asl eep.

T he m ar ch er s h ad g on e p er haps h al fw ay aro un d t he

i sl an d w he n t he K in g w ok e u p w it h a s ud de n s ta rt ,

co ns ci ou s t ha t t he m us ic o f t he b an ds h ad c ea se d.

The crowds along the highway had unaccountably

d i sap pear ed , t o o.

"Meander! Meander!" puffed Sizzeroo, leaning out

of t he w in do w o f t he s il ve r s ed an . " Wh at h as b ec om e

of the music?"

Meander, dutifully running around back of the

palanquin, stared in utter astonishment down the

highway.

"King! King!" shouted the messenger in a shrill

v oi ce. " Th er e' s n ob od y b eh in d u s. W e' re m ar ch in g

a ll by o ur se lve s i n a p ar ade of one ."

"What?" exclaimed Sizzeroo, thrusting his head



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t ou ch ed h is c om ra de o n t he s ho ul de r a nd i n l es s t ha n

a t wi nk li ng t he w ho le p ro cess io n h ad s wu ng abo ut

t o f ac e t he g ha st ly a pp ar it io n. A ll , t ha t i s, b ut t he

b earer s o f t he K in g' s p al an qu in . T rain ed t o l oo k

straight ahead, they had tramped solemnly forward.

b ut n ow , i ns te ad of b ei ng s tr ic ke n d um b l ik e t he

r e st o f t he I sl an de rs , t he b ea re rs g av e s ix te en b lo od -

cur dl i ng s cr eeches , d ro pp ed t he s ed an w it h a t hu mp

a n d t oo k t o t he ir t hi rt y- tw o h ee ls . T he K in g a nd

G ur ee da , a lm os t j ol te d o ut o f t he ir s ea ts , g av e t wo

s ep ar at e exclamati on s o f d is tr es s and w el l t hey

might!

"Meander! Meander!" quavered Sizzeroo, point-

ing a trembling finger at Terrybubble, "What is

that?"

"Dunno~dunno, sir," gulped the poor messenger,

hugging Pansy to his palpitating bosom.

"Right the first time," chuckled Speedy, who could

n ot ha ve h el pe d l au gh in g e ve n t o s av e hi s l if e. F or

alm os t t en m in ut es h e h ad b een s il en tl y w ai ti ng f or

t he I sl an de rs t o t ak e s om e a ct io n, f ee li ng t ha t e x-

t reme caut io n w as h is s af es t cou rs e.

" Wh y, i t i s a d in os au r, " m ar vell ed t he l it tl e P ri n-

ces s, l eani ng f or ward w it h m or e cur io si ty t han f ear.

" Th er e i s a b ig bo ok a bou t t he m i n t he pa la ce . I t-



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" It 's a d rago n' s g ho st !" " It ' s a p rehi st or ic m on -

s te r ! " " It 's b ew it ch ed !" " Sh oo t i t, r am i t, p us h i t

off the island!" they shouted hysterically.

" St op ! S to p! S to p i t! " S pe ed y t hu mp ed s o l ou d-

l y on Te rr yb ub bl e' s r ib s a nd s pok e i n s uc h a d et er -

mined and compelling voice that the Umbrellians

act uall y o beyed h im . " Terr yb ub bl e i s a m on st er , a

p rehi st or ic m on st er , b ut even m on st er s h av e f eel-

i ng s. C an 't y ou s ee y ou 'r e h ur ti ng h is f eeli ng s?" h e

asked angrily.

"Feelings?" Waddy leaned weakly against the

b la ck u mb re ll a b ea re r. " You m ea n t o t el l m e t ha t

h ul ki ng w reck h as f eeli ng s? A nd h ow abo ut y ou r

ow n f ee li ngs ? H ow doe s i t f ee l t o b e on t he i ns ide

of a mons ter li ke that? How do I know we all won'

speedy in oz - l. frank baum

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