Oz 14: Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum
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the Flatheads and_the Skeezers were friendly . they visited our island and we visited their mountain, and everything was pleasant between_the two peoples . at_that_time the Flatheads were ruled by three Adepts in sorcery, beautiful girls who were_not Flatheads, but had wandered to_the flat mountain and made their home there . these three Adepts used their magic only for good, and_the mountain people gladly made them their rulers . they taught the Flatheads how to use their canned brains and how to work metals into clothing that_would never wear out, and many_other things that added to_their happiness and content .

"Coo-ee-oh was our queen then, as now, but she knew no magic and so had nothing to_be proud of . but the three Adepts were very kind to Coo-ee-oh . they built for_us this wonderful dome of glass and_our houses of marble and taught us to_make beautiful clothing and many_other things .Coo-ee-oh pretended to_be very grateful for_these favors, but it seems that all the time she was jealous of_the three Adepts and secretly tried to discover their arts of magic . in_this she was more clever than anyone suspected . she invited the three Adepts to a banquet one day, and while they were feasting Coo-ee-oh stole their charms and magical instruments and transformed them into three fishes -- a gold fish, a silver fish and a bronze fish . while the poor fishes were gasping and flopping helplessly on_the floor of_the banquet room one_of_them said reproachfully: ' you_will_be punished for_this, Coo-ee- oh, for if one of us dies or is destroyed, you_will become shrivelled and helpless, and all your stolen magic will depart from_you .' frightened by_this threat, Coo-ee-oh at once caught up the three fish and ran with_them to_the shore of_the lake, where she cast them into_the water . this revived the three Adepts and_they swam away and disappeared .

"I, myself, witnessed this shocking scene," continued lady Aurex, " and so did many_other Skeezers . the news was carried to_the Flatheads, who then turned from friends to enemies . the Su-dic and_his wife Rora were the only ones on_the mountain who were glad the three Adepts had_been lost to_them, and_they at once became Rulers of_the Flatheads and stole their canned brains from others to_make themselves the more powerful . some_of_the Adepts' magic tools had_been left on_the mountain, and these Rora seized and by_the use of_them she became a witch .

" the result of Coo-ee-oh's treachery was to_make both the Skeezers and_the Flatheads miserable instead of happy . not_only were the Su-dic and_his wife cruel to_their people, but our queen at once became proud and arrogant and treated us very unkindly . all the Skeezers knew she had stolen her magic powers and so she hated us and made us humble ourselves before her and obey her slightest word . if_we disobeyed, or did_not please her, or if_we talked about her when we were in_our own homes she would_have us dragged to_the whipping post in her palace and lashed with knotted cords . that_is why we fear her so greatly ."

this story filled Ozma's heart with sorrow and Dorothy's heart with indignation .

"I now understand," said Ozma, " why the fishes in_the lake have brought about war between_the Skeezers and_the Flatheads ."

" yes," lady Aurex answered, " now that you_know the story it_is easy to understand . the Su-dic and_his wife came to our lake hoping to catch the silver fish, or gold fish, or bronze fish -- any_one_of_them would do - - and by destroying it deprive Coo-ee-oh of her magic . then they_could easily conquer her . also they had another reason for wanting to catch the fish -- they feared that in some way the three Adepts might regain their proper forms and then they_would_be sure to return to_the mountain and punish Rora and_the Su-dic . that was why Rora finally tried to poison all the fishes in_the lake, at_the_time Coo-ee-oh transformed her into a golden Pig . of_course this attempt to destroy the fishes frightened the queen, for her safety lies in keeping the three fishes alive ."

"I s' pose Coo-ee-oh will fight the Flatheads with all her might," observed Dorothy .

" and with all her magic," added Ozma, thoughtfully .

" I_do_not_see how the Flatheads can get to_this island to hurt us," said lady Aurex .

" they_have bows and arrows, and I guess they mean to shoot the arrows at your big dome, and break all the glass in_it," suggested Dorothy .

but lady Aurex shook her head with a smile .

" they_cannot do_that," she replied .

" why_not ? "

"I dare not tell you why, but if_the Flatheads come to- morrow morning you_will yourselves see the reason ."

" I_do_not_think they_will attempt to harm the island," Ozma declared ."I believe they_will first attempt to destroy the fishes, by poison or some other means . if_they succeed in_that, the conquest of_the island will_not_be difficult ."

" they_have no boats," said lady Aurex, " and Coo-ee- oh, who has long expected this war, has_been preparing for_it in many astonishing ways .I almost wish the Flatheads would conquer us, for then we_would_be free from_our dreadful queen; but I_do_not wish to_see the three transformed fishes destroyed, for in_them lies our only hope of future happiness ."

"Ozma will take care of you, whatever happens," Dorothy assured her . but the lady Aurex, not knowing the extent of Ozma's power -- which_was, in_fact, not so great as Dorothy imagined -- could_not take much comfort in_this promise .

it_was evident there would_be exciting times on_the morrow, if_the Flatheads really attacked the Skeezers of_the magic isle .

chapter Ten

under water

when night fell all the interior of_the great dome, streets and houses, became lighted with brilliant incandescent lamps, which rendered it bright as day . Dorothy thought the island must look beautiful by night from_the outer shore of_the lake . there_was revelry and feasting in_the queen's palace, and_the music of_the royal band could_be plainly heard in lady Aurex's house, where Ozma and Dorothy remained with their hostess and keeper . they were prisoners, but treated with much consideration .

lady Aurex gave them a nice supper and when_they wished to retire showed them to a pretty room with comfortable beds and wished them a good night and pleasant dreams .

" what do_you_think of all this, Ozma ? " Dorothy anxiously inquired when_they were alone .

" I_am_glad we came," was_the reply, " for although there_may_be mischief done to- morrow, it_was necessary i_should know about these people, whose leaders are wild and lawless and oppress their subjects with injustice and cruelties . my task, therefore, is to liberate the Skeezers and_the Flatheads and secure for_them freedom and happiness . I_have no_doubt I_can accomplish this in_time ."

" just now, though, we're in a bad fix," asserted Dorothy ." if queen Coo-ee-oh conquers to- morrow, she won't be nice to_us, and if_the Su-dic conquers, he'll be worse ."

" do_not worry, dear," said Ozma, " I_do_not_think we_are in danger, whatever happens, and_the result of_our adventure is sure to_be good ."

Dorothy was not worrying, especially . she had confidence in her friend, the fairy princess of Oz, and she enjoyed the excitement of_the events in_which she was taking part . so she crept into bed and fell asleep as easily as_if she had_been in her own cosy room in Ozma's palace .

a sort of grating, grinding sound awakened her . the whole island seemed to tremble and sway, as it might do in an earthquake . Dorothy sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes to_get the sleep out_of_them, and then found it_was daybreak .

Ozma was hurriedly dressing herself .

" what_is it ? " asked Dorothy, jumping out of bed .

"I'm not sure," answered Ozma " but it feels as if_the island is sinking ."

as_soon_as_possible they finished dressing, while the creaking and swaying continued . then they rushed into_the living room of_the house and found lady Aurex, fully dressed, awaiting them .

" do_not be alarmed," said their hostess ."Coo-ee-oh has decided to submerge the island, that_is all . but it proves the Flatheads are coming to attack us ."

" what do_you_mean by sub-sub-merging the island ? " asked Dorothy .

" come here and_see," was_the reply .

lady Aurex led them to a window which faced the side of_the great dome which covered all the village, and they_could see that_the island was indeed sinking, for_the water of_the lake was already half way up the side of_the dome . through_the glass could_be seen swimming fishes, and tall stalks of swaying seaweeds, for_the water was clear as crystal and through it they_could distinguish even the farther shore of_the lake .

" the Flatheads are_not here yet," said lady Aurex ." they_will come soon, but not until all of_this dome is under the surface of_the water ."

" won't the dome leak ? " Dorothy inquired anxiously .

" no, indeed ."

" was_the island ever sub-sub- sunk before ? "

"Oh, yes; on several occasions . but Coo-ee-oh doesn't care to do_that often, for_it requires alot of hard work to operate the machinery . the dome was built so that_the island could disappear . i_think," she continued, " that_our queen fears the Flatheads will attack the island and try to break the glass of_the dome ."

" well, if_we're under water, they_can't fight us, and we_can't fight them," asserted Dorothy .

" they_could kill the fishes, however," said Ozma gravely

" we_have ways to fight, also, even though our island is under water," claimed lady Aurex ." I_cannot tell you all our secrets, but this island is full of surprises . also our queen's magic is astonishing ."

" did she steal it all from_the three Adepts in sorcery that_are now fishes ? "

" she stole the knowledge and_the magic tools, but she has used them as_the three Adepts never would_have done ."

by_this_time the top of_the dome was quite under water and suddenly the island stopped sinking and became stationary .

" see ! " cried lady Aurex, pointing to_the shore ." the Flatheads have come ."

on_the bank, which_was now far above their heads, a crowd of dark figures could_be seen .

" now let_us_see what Coo-ee-oh will do to oppose them," continued lady Aurex, in a voice that betrayed her excitement .

* * * * * * * *

the Flatheads, pushing their way through_the line of palm trees, had reached the shore of_the lake just as_the top of_the island's dome disappeared beneath the surface . the water now flowed from shore to shore, but through_the clear water the dome was still visible and_the houses of_the Skeezers could_be dimly seen through_the panes of glass .

" good ! " exclaimed the Su-dic, who had armed all his followers and had brought with_him two copper vessels, which he carefully set down upon_the ground beside him ." if Coo-ee-oh wants to hide instead of fighting our job will_be easy, for in one_of_these copper vessels I_have enough poison to kill every fish in_the lake ."

" kill them, then, while we_have time, and then we_can go home again," advised one_of_the chief officers .

" not yet," objected the Su-dic ." the queen of_the Skeezers has defied me, and i_want to_get her into my power, as_well as_to destroy her magic . she transformed my poor wife into a golden Pig, and I_must_have revenge for_that, whatever else we_do ."

" look out ! " suddenly exclaimed the officers, pointing into_the lake; " something's going to happen ."

from_the submerged dome a door opened and something black shot swiftly out into_the water . the door instantly closed behind it and_the dark object cleaved its way through_the water, without rising to_the surface, directly toward the place where the Flatheads were standing .

" what_is that ? " Dorothy asked the lady Aurex .

" that_is one_of_the queen's submarines," was_the reply ." it_is all enclosed, and can move under water .Coo-ee-oh has several of_these boats which are kept in little rooms in_the basement under our village . when_the island is submerged, the queen uses these boats to reach the shore, and I believe she now intends to fight the Flatheads with_them ."

the Su-dic and_his people knew nothing of Coo-ee-oh's submarines, so they watched with surprise as_the under- water boat approached them . when it_was quite near the shore it rose to_the surface and_the top parted and fell back, disclosing a boat full of armed Skeezers . at_the head was_the queen, standing up in_the bow and holding in one hand a coil of magic rope that gleamed like silver .

the boat halted and Coo-ee-oh drew back her arm to throw the silver rope toward the Su-dic, who was now but a few feet from her . but the wily flathead leader quickly realized his danger and before_the queen could throw the rope he caught up one_of_the copper vessels and dashed its contents full in her face !

chapter Eleven

the conquest of_the Skeezers

queen Coo-ee-oh dropped the rope, tottered and fell headlong into_the water, sinking beneath the surface, while the Skeezers in_the submarine assist her and only stared at_the ripples in_the water where she had disappeared .a moment later there arose to_the surface a beautiful white swan . this swan was of large size, very gracefully formed, and scattered all over its white feathers were tiny diamonds, so thickly placed that as_the rays of_the morning sun fell upon them the entire body of_the swan glistened like one brilliant diamond . the head of_the diamond swan had a bill of polished gold and its eyes were two sparkling amethysts .

"Hooray ! " cried the Su-dic, dancing up and down with wicked glee ." my poor wife, Rora, is avenged at last . you_made her a golden Pig, Coo-ee-oh, and now I_have_made you a diamond swan . float on_your lake forever, if_you like, for your web feet can do no more magic and you_are as powerless as_the Pig you_made of_my wife !

" villain ! scoundrel ! " croaked the diamond swan ." you_will_be punished for_this .Oh, what a fool i_was to let you enchant me !

"A fool you were, and a fool you_are ! " laughed the Su-dic, dancing madly in_his delight . and then he carelessly tipped over the other copper vessel with_his heel and its contents spilled on_the sands and were lost to_the last drop .

the Su-dic stopped short and looked at_the overturned vessel with a rueful countenance .

" that's too bad -- too bad ! " he exclaimed sorrowfully ."I've lost all

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