Oz 20: The Hungry Tiger of Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson
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flash into view, the picture showing just where they_are and what they_are doing at_the_time . more than once, Ozma had saved her subjects from serious disaster by consulting the magic picture, and it did seem strange that she had_not looked for Betsy and_the hungry tiger .

while Betsy and_the little prince were still puzzling over it, they stepped across the rocky borders of_the gnome king's dominion into a pleasant farming country and_they were all so relieved to_find themselves once again in more natural surroundings that_they stopped worrying and began to enjoy themselves . the fields of potatoes and cabbages were especially cheering to Carter green, and when_they came up on awaving field of corn, he_gave a joyful shout and sprang lightly over a fence .

" wait ! " he_called gaily holding up both hands ." wait till I pick a couple of ears ! "

chapter 12

immense city

when_the vegetable man returned with_his new corn ears, nicely adjusted, everyone felt more cheerful .

" can_you hear ? " asked the hungry tiger curiously .

Carter nodded ." i_think they're even better than_the last pair," he confided happily ." it isn't everyone who_can pick a new ear when his old one pops or wears out . not so bad being a vegetable man, eh, Betsy, my dear ? "

" no," agreed the little girl thoughtfully, " and you haven't taken root for_a_long_time, have_you Carter ? "

the vegetable man grinned ." haven't had a chance," he chuckled merrily ." we haven't stayed in one place long enough for_that . I_hope the next country we come to is calm and quiet and_that I_can pick up a cart and some fresh vegetables ."

" I_hope we_can pick up a square meal," roared the hungry tiger, licking his whiskers hungrily .

" I_hope there's some magic ! " Clasping her hands, Betsy looked around expectantly ." then we_could cross the deadly desert and go home .I kinda miss Dorothy and Ozma," she acknowledged wistfully ." and I'd like to_see Hank ."

" well, I_hope we_find the last ruby," exclaimed prince Evered ." the one Kaliko had must_have been the ruby that protected one from danger by water . you said he bought it from a fisherman, Carter ? "

" yes," mused the vegetable man ." it must_be the one Irashi flung into_the river, while the one I_found was_the ruby that protects from danger on_the earth and under the earth . look how it saved us from_the pick-axes and_the fire- fall ! "

" then the only_one left to_find is_the ruby that protects you from danger in_the air," reflected Betsy thoughtfully ." do_you spose we'll have to fly up in_the air to_find it ? "

" not if I_have anything to_say about_it," growled the hungry tiger, shaking his handsome head ."Falling is bad enough; flying would turn my whiskers perfectly white . we'll stay on_the earth if_we_can, and travel back to Oz by_the fastest route we_can find . then Ozma can settle affairs in rash, discover the where-abouts of_the last ruby and restore Reddy to_his throne ."

" can Ozma do all that ? " marveled the little prince wonderingly .

"Ozma can do anything," Betsy answered proudly ." just wait till you_see the emerald city and Scraps and_the Scarecrow ."

" tell me about_them," begged the little prince eagerly, and as_the hungry tiger padded comfortably down the long sunlit lanes, Betsy told Reddy all about_the jolly inhabitants of Oz . the vegetable man listened attentively, too, his new ears a bit forward and a dreamy expression in_his kindly blue eyes . but right in_the middle of a description of Tik Tok, the metal man, he_gave a bounce of surprise .

" spinach ! " spluttered Carter green explosively .

" where ? " inquired the hungry tiger, coming to an abrupt stop and blinking around longingly . he_was not very fond of spinach, but even spinach would taste better than nothing .

"I didn't mean spinach exactly," mumbled the vegetable man hurriedly ." but look ! " Pointing his twig- like finger to a bend in_the road, Carter directed their attention to a weather beaten sign .

" beware the Ants ! " advised the sign myste-riously .

"Oh, I_hope they're not red ants," murmured Betsy, anxiously ." red ants bite ! "

" who's afraid of ants ? " cried Reddy disdain- fully ." all you_have to_do is tread on em .

" that's right," agreed the hungry tiger ."I'm surprised at you, Carter, stopping us for a little thing like that ."

" but suppose there were millions of_them," shuddered the vegetable man uneasily ."I'd be a feast for ants ."

Betsy looked troubled, but the prince of rash, slapping his pocket suddenly, reminded her of_the rash rubies .

" the rubies will protect us no matter what happens," declared Reddy, confidently .

" as_soon_as you_see an ant, jump on my back," advised the hungry tiger calmly ." then we'll all stick together and I'll run like sixty ."

Carter shook his head and muttered unhappily to himself . he_could_not help remembering the sad accident to_his ears . they all kept their eyes glued to_the road for_the first sign of_the ants, the hungry tiger tip-toeing along almost as_if he were walking on eggs . they were all so intent upon_the road beneath their feet that_they never thought of_the road ahead at all . then Betsy, suddenly looking up to_see whether any towns or villages were visible, gave a shrill scream and clasped her arms round the tiger's neck .

"Ants ? " quavered Carter, leaping upon_the hungry tiger and fastening both hands in Reddy's belt .Betsy was too shocked for speech, and it was_the hungry tiger, himself, who answered Carter's query .

"Ants ! " coughed the hungry tiger, trembling like a leaf, "Giants ! " and swinging about like a pivot, the terrified beast raced off in_the opposite direction . but the Giants had already seen them . there were four of_the huge creatures, and Betsy, glancing fearfully over her shoulder saw the smallest-a perfectly tremendous little girl giant-beginning to gain on them . the hungry tiger did his best, but who_could hope to outdistance a creature whose every step covered a city block ?

" father ! father ! " shrilled the little giant, in a voice that shook the hills, " see that darling little kitten ! " before_the luckless travellers had time to_plan, think, or act, a great hand came snatching downward and seized the hungry tiger by_the scruff of_the neck . up went the tiger, off went the three riders and, turning seven somersaults, landed together in a hay field . by_the_time they had picked themselves up, the Giants were a mile down the road .

" they're worse than gnomes," sputtered Carter indignantly ." called the hungry tiger, a kitten ! did you hear that ? it's a wonder that great girl didn't break us to bits ."

" she would_have if_we had_not had the rubies," panted Evered, picking up his sword ." we_must_have fallen a quarter of a mile .Weren't you scared Betsy ? "

Betsy shivered, but recovering herself quickly ran out into_the road and tried to catch a last glimpse of_the hungry tiger ." we'll have to_go after them," she cried ." that girl needn't think she can_have the hungry tiger for a kitten . why, he_must_be furious ."

''I'm glad she didn't pick me for a exclaimed Carter, walking briskly up and down to_keep from taking root ." let's go on, Betsy . maybe the Giants live around here somewhere and maybe we_can help the hungry tiger to escape .

"I'm not afraid of Giants," asserted Reddy, in a slightly shaky voice ." come on, we've the rash rubies to protect us .Trying to_keep up their courage and assuming a bravery they were very far from feeling, the three adventurers started off in_the direction the Giants had taken .

" well, I_hope we don't meet any more, sighed Betsy, pressing closer to_the vegetable man, " and I_hope we_find the hungry tiger before night time ."

the sun had set, and in_the gray twilight the trees and bushes took on fearsome shapes and forms .Keeping close together, and conversing in scared whispers, they hurried anxiously along . soon large and disturbing signs began to appear on both sides of_the road .

" this country belongs to_the big Wigs . keep out ! " advised the signs .

" big Wigs ! " breathed Betsy nervously, " why, they_must_be the giants ."

" see how high the fences are, and_the trees are so tall I_cannot even see the tops," gasped Reddy .Feeling smaller than ever, the two children and Carter tip- toed down the long dark lanes and presently came to_the giant city, itself . all they_could see was a grim gray wall, stretching up toward the sky .Hanging in niches of_the wall at regular distances were great yellow lanterns and traced on_the wall itself in flaming letters stood the town's name .

" immense city," quavered the vegetable man, in achoked voice ." well, i_should say it_was ! "

" if there were only a gate," mourned Betsy, " we_might peek through .Oh, dear, I_do hope the hungry tiger is safe ."

" he's safe enough," groaned Carter, looking sadly at_the great wall, " but how are we ever to_get in to him ? " the only entrance to immense city seemed to_be a huge stone door in_the center of_the wall, and it_was locked and bolted with bars as big as telegraph poles . over the wall came a confused murmur of voices, the rumble of wheels and a muffled sound of music, while drifting down to_the tired, hungry travellers came the delicious smell of a hundred giant dinners cooking .

" just one giant biscuit would_be enough for_us," sighed Betsy, sniffing the air wistfully ."I'll bet it would_be as big as_you_are Reddy ."

" what's the use of wishing," sighed the little prince gloomily ." we_can never climb over the wall and there's nothing to eat on_this side .I almost wish we had stayed down town ! "

both children looked so down-hearted that Carter saw at once that something must_be_done . so, bidding them keep close together, the vegetable man went off in search of supper . the lanterns from_the city wall spread their radiance for miles around and it_was not long before Carter came to a great apple orchard .Climbing the trees was impossible, but scattered about on_the ground were apples the size of pumpkins .Taking one_of_the smallest, the vegetable man hurried back to_the others . in_spite of_its size, the apple was of delicious flavor .Reddy cut it into slices with_his sword and he and Betsy grew so merry over their strange supper that Carter felt well repaid for_his trouble .

" tomorrow," promised the vegetable man gaily, " we will_find a way into_the city and rescue our old friend ."

" and tonight ? " queried Betsy, uneasily ." tonight we_will rest," answered Carter calmly, as_if sleeping under the walls of a giant city were quite a usual affair .Gathering leaves and twigs, he_made Betsy and Evered comfortable beds in_the shelter of a giant elm . for himself, he collected a pile of rocks ." so I'll not take root," he explained with a wink . the leafy beds were so soft and Betsy and Reddy so weary, they soon fell asleep, but Carter on_his rocky couch never closed his eyes .

chapter 13

beside the wall

the bright sun awakened Betsy and Reddy next morning .Betsy had_been dreaming of_the emerald city and was but half awake .Rubbing her eyes, she stared in bewilderment at_the high walls of immense city .

"Oh, dear ! " mused the little girl, heaving a sigh of disappointment, " we're still here, aren't we ? "

" i_should say we_are," answered Carter, " and when you_think of all we've been through it's quite a miracle, Betsy my child, to even be here ." Carter had brushed back his celery tops, perked up his ears, washed his red cheeks in_the brook and looked fresh as only a vegetable man may .

"I wonder if_the big Wigs ever use that door," yawned the little prince of rash, rolling over sleepily .

" just what i_was wondering," murmured Carter ." now my plan is_this . let_us watch the door carefully . then, when it opens, we_will slip in unnoticed and look around for_the hungry tiger . but we_must_be mighty careful not to_get run over or trodden upon by_the Giants ."

Betsy turned a trifle pale at mention of_the Giants, but Reddy hastened to reassure her ."I'll take care of you, Betsy," promised the little prince boldly, " and_the rubies will help even if_the Giants do catch us .

somewhat comforted, but not absolutely convinced, Betsy ran over to_the brook, and after she and Reddy splashed their hands and faces with_the cool water and took a long drink from a nearby spring, they both felt quite adventurous and cheerful .

" we'll not bother about breakfast," decided Carter, " for I've a notion there'll be plenty inside ."

" do_you really s' pose they'll open the gate ? " asked Betsy, quite excited at_the prospect of entering a giant city .

" well, the four big Wigs we met on_the road must_have come out that way," observed Carter, blinking up at_the enormous tulip trees surrounding the big wig town . each leaf was large as a person and Carter was about to pick one up from_the ground and fashion it into a hat for Betsy, when a perfect shower of rocks came flying over the wall . while none actually hit the three travellers they were so startled by_the suddenness of_the attack that_they stood frozen to_the spot . then Carter, seizing Betsy, darted behind a tree . before Reddy could join them, a flock of monstrous pigeons swooped down from_the wall and began pecking greedily at_the rocks .

" why they're giant crumbs," cried Betsy, peering around the tree in astonishment ." did you ever see such big birds ? why, they're big as ostriches ! "

" bigger ! " gulped Carter, anxiously motioning for Reddy to hide himself . but just then one_of_the pigeons, taking the little boy for a crumb or atempting little bug, snapped him up in its bill and soared over

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