Oz 14: Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Oz 14: Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum
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; "

" that 's fact ," agreed Betsy with sigh ; " but 've got to_get Ozma and Dorothy out of_that lake , somehow other "

" and we_must do_it in_our own way ," added the Scarecrow

" but how ? " asked uncle Henry grave voice , for he_could_not bear to_think of_his dear niece Dorothy being out there under water ; " how shall we_do ? "

" leave that Glinda," advised the wizard , realizing he_was helpless to_do_it himself

" if_it were just ordinary sunken island ," said the powerful sorceress , " there would_be several ways by_which I_might bring to_the surface again but this_is magic isle , and some curious art witchcraft , unknown any but queen Coo-ce-oh, obeys certain commands magic and will not respond any_other I_do_not despair in_the least , but it_will require some deep study solve this difficult problem if_the swan could only remember the witchcraft that she invented and knew woman , I_could force her to_tell the secret , but all her former knowledge now forgotten "

" seems to_me ," said the wizard after brief silence had followed Glinda's speech , " that_there_are three fishes in_this lake that used to_be Adepts magic and from whom Coo-ee-oh stole much her knowledge if_we_could find those fishes and return them to_their former shapes, they_could doubtless tell what to_do bring the sunken island to_the surface "

" I_have thought of_those fishes," replied Glinda, " but among so_many fishes as_this lake contains how are single them out ? "

you_will understand , of_course , that had Glinda been home her castle , where the great book Records was , she would_have known that Ervic the Skeezer already had taken the gold and silver and bronze fishes from_the lake but that act had_been recorded in_the book after Glinda had set out on_this journey , it_was all unknown her

" i_think I_see boat yonder on_the shore ," said Ojo the Munchkin boy , pointing place around the edge of_the lake " if_we_could get that boat and row all over the lake , calling to_the magic fishes, we_might_be_able to_find them "

" let_us to_the boat ," said the wizard

they walked around the lake where the boat was stranded upon_the beach , but found empty it_was mere shell blackened steel , with collapsible roof that , when position , made the submarine watertight, but present the roof rested slots either side of_the magic craft there were oars sails, machinery make_the boat , and although Glinda promptly realized it_was meant to_be operated witchcraft , she was not acquainted with_that sort magic

" however ," said she , " the boat merely boat , and I believe I_can make obey command sorcery , as_well did the command witchcraft after I_have_given little thought to_the matter , the boat will take wherever we_desire to_go "

" not all ," returned the wizard , " for_it won 't hold so_many but , most noble sorceress , provided you_can_make the boat , what use will to_us ? "

" can 't use catch the three fishes ? " asked bright

" it_will_not_be necessary use the boat for_that purpose ," replied Glinda " wherever in_the lake the enchanted fishes may_be , they_will answer call what I_am trying discover how the boat came to_be on_this shore , while the island on_which belongs under water yonder did Coo-ee-oh come here in_the boat meet the Flatheads before_the island was sunk , afterward ? "

one could answer that question , of_course ; but while they pondered the matter three young men advanced from_the line trees, and rather timidly bowed to_the strangers

" who_are you , and where did you come from ? " inquired the wizard

" we_are Skeezers," answered one_of_them , " and_our home on_the magic isle of_the lake ran away when saw you coming, and hid behind the trees, but as_you_are Strangers and seem_to_be friendly decided meet you , for we_are great trouble and need assistance "

" if_you belong on_the island , why are_you here ? " demanded Glinda

they told her all the story : how the queen had defied the Flatheads and submerged the whole island so_that her enemies could_not get to_it destroy ; how , when_the Flatheads came to_the shore , Coo-ee-oh had commanded them , together with their friend Ervic, to_go with her in_the submarine conquer the Su-dic, and how the boat had shot out from_the basement of_the sunken isle , obeying magic word , and risen to_the surface , where opened and floated upon_the water

then followed the account how the Su-dic had transformed Coo-ee-oh into swan , after which she had forgotten all the witchcraft she ever knew the young men told how , in_the night when_they were asleep , their comrade Ervic had mysteriously disappeared , while the boat some strange manner had floated to_the shore and stranded upon_the beach

that was all they knew they had searched vain for three days for Ervic their island was under water and they_could_not get back to_it , the three Skeezers had place to_go , and had waited patiently beside their boat for something happen

being questioned Glinda and_the wizard , they told all they knew about Ozma and Dorothy and declared the two girls were still in_the village under the great dome they were quite safe and would_be well cared for lady Aurex, now that_the queen who opposed them was out_of_the way

when_they had gleaned all the information they_could from_these Skeezers, the wizard said Glinda:

" if_you find you_can_make this boat obey your sorcery , you_could_have return to_the island , submerge itself, and enter the door in_the basement from_which came but I cannot_see that_our going to_the sunken island would enable our friends escape we_would only join them prisoners "

" not , friend wizard ," replied Glinda " if_the boat would obey commands enter the basement door , would also obey commands to_come out again , and I_could bring Ozma and Dorothy back with "

" and leave all of_our people still imprisoned ? " asked one_of_the Skeezers reproachfully

" making several trips in_the boat , Glinda could fetch all your people to_the shore ," replied the wizard

" but what could they_do then ? " inquired another Skeezer " they_would_have homes and place to_go , and would_be at_the mercy of_their enemies, the Flatheads "

" that_is true ," said Glinda the good " and as_these people are Ozma's subjects, i_think she_would refuse escape with Dorothy and leave the others behind , abandon the island which_is the lawful home of_the Skeezers I believe the best plan will_be summon the three fishes and learn from_them how raise the island "

the little wizard seemed to_think that_this was rather forlorn hope

" how will_you summon them ," asked the lovely sorceress , " and how can they hear you ? "

" that_is something we_must consider carefully ," responded stately Glinda, with serene smile " i_think I_can find way "

all Ozma's counsellors applauded this sentiment , for they knew well the powers of_the sorceress

" very_well ," agreed the wizard " summon them , most noble Glinda "

chapter Eighteen

the cleverness Ervic

we_must now return Ervic the Skeezer, who , when had set down the copper kettle containing the three fishes at_the gate of_the lonely cottage , had asked , " what next ? "

the goldfish stuck its head above the water in_the kettle and said its small but distinct voice :

" you_are lift the latch , open the door , and walk boldly into_the cottage do_not afraid anything you_see , for however you seem_to_be threatened with dangers, nothing can harm you the cottage is_the home powerful Yookoohoo, named Reera the red , who assumes all sorts forms, sometimes changing her form several_times day , according her fancy what her real form may_be we_do_not know this strange creature cannot_be bribed with treasure , coaxed through friendship , won pity she has never assisted anyone , done wrong anyone , that we_know all her wonderful powers are used for her own selfish amusement she will order you out_of_the house but you_must refuse to_go remain and watch Reera closely and try to_see what she uses accomplish her transformations if_you_can discover the secret whisper to_us and we_will then tell you what to_do next "

" that sounds easy ," returned Ervic, who had listened carefully " but are_you sure she will not hurt , try transform ? "

" she may change your form ," replied the goldfish, " but do_not worry if_that happens, for we_can break that enchantment easily you_may_be_sure that nothing will harm you , you_must not frightened anything you_see hear "

now Ervic was brave any ordinary young man , and he_knew the fishes who spoke him were truthful and to_be relied upon , nevertheless experienced strange sinking of_the heart picked the kettle and approached the door of_the cottage his hand trembled raised the latch , but he_was resolved obey his instructions pushed the door open , took three strides into_the middle of_the one room the cottage contained , and then stood still and looked around him

the sights that met his gaze were enough frighten anyone who had_not_been properly warned on_the floor just before Ervic lay great crocodile , its red eyes gleaming wickedly and its wide open mouth displaying rows sharp teeth horned toads hopped about ; each of_the four upper corners of_the room was festooned with thick cobweb , in_the center of_which sat spider big around washbasin, and armed with pincher- like claws; red - and - green lizard was stretched full length on_the window -sill and black rats darted and out_of_the holes they had gnawed in_the floor of_the cottage

but the most startling thing was huge gray ape which sat upon bench and knitted wore lace cap, such old ladies wear , and little apron lace , but other clothing its eyes were bright and looked as_if coals were burning in_them the ape moved naturally ordinary person might , and Ervic's entrance stopped knitting and raised its head look him

" get out ! " cried sharp voice , seeming to_come from_the ape's mouth

Ervic saw another bench , empty , just beyond him , stepped over the crocodile , sat down upon_the bench and carefully placed the kettle beside him

" get out ! " again cried the voice

Ervic shook his head

" ," said , "I'm going stay "

the spiders left their four corners, dropped to_the floor and made rush toward the young Skeezer, circling around his legs with their pinchers extended Ervic paid attention to_them enormous black rat ran Ervic's body , passed around his shoulders and uttered piercing squeals in_his ears, but he_did_not wince the green - and - red lizard , coming from_the window -sill, approached Ervic and began spitting flaming fluid him , but Ervic merely stared at_the creature and its flame did_not touch him

the crocodile raised its tail and , swinging around , swept Ervic off the bench with powerful blow but the Skeezer managed save the kettle from upsetting and got , shook off the horned toads that were crawling over him and resumed his seat on_the bench

all the creatures, after_this first attack , remained motionless , as_if awaiting orders the old gray ape knitted , not looking toward Ervic now , and_the young Skeezer stolidly kept his seat expected something else happen , but nothing did full hour passed and Ervic was growing nervous

" what do_you_want ? " the ape asked last

" nothing ," said Ervic

" you_may_have that ! " retorted the ape, and at_this all the strange creatures in_the room broke into chorus cackling laughter

another long wait

" do_you_know who I_am ? " questioned the ape

" you_must_be Reera the red -- the Yookoohoo," Ervic answered

"Knowing so_much , you_must also know that I_do_not like strangers your presence here home annoys do_you not fear anger ? "

" ," said the young man

" do_you intend obey , and leave this house ? " " ," replied Ervic, just quietly as_the Yookoohoo had spoken

the ape knitted for_a_long_time before resuming the conversation

" curiosity ," said , " has led many man 's undoing I suppose some way you_have learned that I_do tricks magic , and through come here you_may_have been told that I_do_not injure anyone , you_are bold enough disobey commands to_go away you imagine that you_may witness some_of_the rites witchcraft , and that_they may amuse you have I spoken truly ? "

" well ," remarked Ervic, who had_been pondering on_the strange circumstances of_his coming here , " you_are right some ways, but not others I_am told that you work magic only for your own amusement that seems to_me very selfish few people understand magic I'm told that you_are the only real Yookoohoo all Oz why don't you amuse others as_well yourself ? "