Oz 20: The Hungry Tiger of Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson
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begged Reddy again ." to- night when_the Giants are asleep, we'll escape .I still have the rash rubies, remember ." Holding them up, Reddy looked eagerly at_the ruffled and doleful tiger . the sight of_the rubies seemed to restore him a little .

" we_can try it anyway, he mused wearily ." but, take care, here comes that awful girl back again . hide yourself, quick ! "

Reddy had just time to scramble beneath a chintz chair, when princess Elma came bounding back, a plate of chicken in one hand and a doll bed in_the other .

chapter 17

the big wig's secret

the Giantess seemed astonished to_find the hungry tiger without his wraps, and picking him up began to scold gently . she was thrusting his front paws into a doll's night dress, when a loud voice from_the next room made her pause .

" bother ! " exclaimed princess Elma, putting the hungry tiger down beside the plate of chicken, "I've got to_take my bath . but I'll be right back ."

"Don't hurry," growled the hungry tiger, gnashing his teeth ferociously as Elma ran toward the big wig nurse, standing in_the doorway .

" why don't you bite her," asked Reddy, venturing out from beneath the chair .

" my conscience tells me it would_be wrong," groaned the poor tiger ." after all, she_is only a child and really means no harm ."

princess Elma was gone so_long that Reddy and_the hungry tiger had time to dine most comfortably on_the plate of chicken and tell their strange experiences in_the giant castle . the hungry tiger was amazed to learn how Reddy had_been carried over the wall and listened eagerly to_his plans for escape .

" we'll wait till mid- night," whispered the little prince ." then, with_the rash rubies to protect us, we'll fall all the way down the stairs and try to_find our way out_of_the castle ."

" I_hope nothing has happened to Carter and Betsy," sighed the tiger mournfully ." help me out of_these horrible sleeves, boy ! " but Reddy advised him to_keep on_the doll's gown so_that Elma would suspect nothing, and reluctantly the tiger agreed ."I had no idea kittens lead such hard lives," he groaned dismally ." my ribs ache from hugging and I've been dragged around all day like a duster . hide, Reddy, hide ! here she comes again ."

Reddy lost no time in concealing himself beneath the chair, and from_his hiding place he watched the Giantess kiss the hungry tiger good- night, and tuck him vigorously into_the doll bed . then, with a huge yawn, she walked over to her own bed- the tiny bed that had so astonished Reddy in_the first place .

" how does the great creature expect to sleep in_that ? " thought the little boy scornfully . how, indeed ? Raising her hand to her head, Elma calmly took off her huge wig, and as she did she shrank so swiftly downward that Reddy clutched the leg of_the chair and clapped his hand over his mouth to_keep from screaming aloud .

the hungry tiger, who had slept in_the nursery the night before, was equally astonished at_this sudden change in_the princess .Rearing up on all fours, he glared in disbelief at_the little girl, who now no larger than Reddy, jumped unconcernedly into bed and pulled the covers up_to her chin . the big wig, itself, grown small enough to fit a mortal- sized person, lay on_the floor beside her . so surprised that he forgot all necessity for caution, Reddy rushed out from beneath the chair, but the hungry tiger hastily waved him back and, curling down as_if nothing unusual had happened, pretended to_be asleep .Fortunately the little girl had_not seen Reddy, and crawling cautiously back, he sank down beneath the chair and tried to work out the puzzle .

" these Giants are frauds," decided the little boy exultantly ." why, they're Giants only when_they wear their wigs ."

he longed to_talk it over with_the hungry tiger, but realizing the wisdom of hiding till all the Giants were abed, set himself patiently to wait .

it grew quieter and quieter in_the giant's castle, and as_the nursery clock tolled out twelve, the hungry tiger slipped noiselessly from_his bed and padded softly over to_the little prince .

" she's asleep," breathed the hungry tiger, " and so are the rest of_these bogus big Wigs . let's make a dash for_it, my boy ."

"I've been thinking," mused Reddy, as he helped the hungry tiger off with_the giant doll dress, "I've been thinking that_it_will take a long_time to_get out_of_the castle and across the city . it might take us till morning ."

" all the more reason to start at once," urged the hungry tiger ." come along, let's start now .

but Reddy stood staring thoughtfully at_the white wig beside princess Elma's bed ."I've been thinking," repeated the little boy, " that if I put on_that wig, I_might grow into a giant myself, run a hundred times faster than I_can now and fight anyone who tries to stop us .

" better not," shudddered the hungry tiger nervously ." it might stick to_you . come along, hop on my back and we'll manage somehow ."

but Reddy, remembering the steepness of_the giant stair and_the hugeness of_the giant city, began to creep determinedly toward Elma's bed . as he_did, Elma stirred uneasily in her sleep, and alarmed, lest she wake and seize the wig before he_could, Reddy snatched it from_the floor and clapped it on_his head .Stars ! up like a bean stalk shot the little boy, till he feared his head would crack against the ceiling . as he grew, the chairs, tables and furniture that had seemed so immense assumed an astonishing smallness . the hungry tiger running in a frantic circle round his feet, looked as he_must_have looked to princess Elma-a very tiny and cunning kitten .Taking a long breath, Reddy leaned down, picked the tiger up and ran out_of_the room . the hungry tiger was scolding bitterly under his breath, but Reddy had to hold him up to_his ear to discover what he_was saying .

" mind what you're doing," rumbled the hungry tiger, crossly ."I'm tired of being picked up like a bundle of rags and tossed about .Don't squeeze me either or I'll bite off your thumb .Grr-uff ! I'm real mad at you ! "

Chuckling a little to himself, Reddy promised to_be careful, and tucking the hungry tiger gently beneath his arm ran down the richly carpeted hallway . he_could_not resist peeping into some_of_the rooms, and everywhere the same sight met his eyes . tiny beds stood in_the midst of gigantic bed chambers and_the Giants themselves, no bigger than ordinary folk, sleeping comfortably without their wigs .

" it would_be a great chance to capture the city," mused Reddy to himself and for a time wondered whether it might_not_be fun to_try . but he_was so anxious to_see Betsy and Carter and continue his search for_the lost ruby, that he decided to let the foolish big Wigs rest in peace .Quickening his steps, he hurried down-stairs, unbolted the doors and let himself out_of_the castle . several big wig Guards looked at him curiously, as he hurried down the street, but they made no attempt to stop him .

" it's funny," said Reddy to_the hungry tiger, as he panted along ." this city doesn't look large at all and it's not nearly so big nor fine as rash ."

" that's because you're a giant now," roared the tiger, who was gradually recovering his good humor ." it looks pretty big to_me . where are we anyway ? "

" right at_the gates," answered Reddy trium-phantly ." here, you, get out_of_the way ! " the big wig guard, who was asleep with_his back against the wall, blinked with surprise and resentment as Reddy spun him out of_his path and slid back the bolts . then, opening the gates, Reddy darted through, calling Betsy bobbin at_the top of_his voice .

" hush ! " roared the hungry tiger ." be still, can't you . do_you_want to scare her to death ? "

we_know already how frightened Betsy and_the vegetable man really were .Failing to recognize Reddy in_the huge big wig, as he_came bounding through_the door way, they took hands and ran for their lives .

" come back ! come back ! " pleaded the prince of rash, making frantic little snatches at_the fleeing pair ." stop, Carter ! stop, Betsy ! Don't you_know me ? "

" the wig, idiot . take off the wig," grumbled the hungry tiger, who was tired of being jostled up and down ." take off the wig ."

so Reddy, who had_been about to lift Betsy up and explain who he_was, snatched off his wig instead . in atwinkling he had shrunk down to boy- size and, releasing his hold on_the hungry tiger, chased merrily after Carter and Betsy .

"Betsy ! Betsy ! " gasped the little prince breathlessly ."Don't run away from me ." when Betsy, scarcely believing her ears, looked over her shoulder and saw Reddy and_the hungry tiger instead of a big wig, she spun about in perfect astonishment .

" but the giant ! " exclaimed Betsy, while Carter green hurried forward to embrace Reddy and hug the hungry tiger ." what became of_the giant ? "

" here it_is," coughed the hungry tiger, dropping princess Elma's wig, which he had picked up when Reddy dropped it, and brought along in_his teeth .

while Carter and Betsy continued to stare at them in wonder, Reddy related the history of_his experience in immense city, and told how he had stolen the wig . then, to demonstrate its strange power, he tried it on and turned before their eyes into a big wig himself .

" well," sighed Betsy bobbin, as he_took it off and shrank down beside her, "I don't believe anybody in Oz is having as queer adventures as_this . do_you, Carter ? " the vegetable man shook his head positively .

" but they're turning out all right," he added cheerfully ." here we_are, all together again, with two of_the lost rubies and a magic wig besides . i_think we_should_be very happy," finished Carter, smiling at_the hungry tiger .

" that's because you were never a kitten," roared the tiger, beginning to lick his satiny coat into smoothness again ." what I've endured at_the hands of_that great girl no one will ever know ! Ugh ! Brrr-rr ! "

" won't she have to stay little without her wig ? " asked Betsy, curiously .

" hope she does . hope she feels just as small as I_did," grumbled the hungry tiger vindic-tively ." she's far safer as she_is now ."

" maybe they'll make her a new one, suggested Reddy ." why, Betsy, they're not Giants at all- just big frauds and I'm going to_keep this wig always, just to remember them by ."

"Don't wear it when I'm around," groaned the hungry tiger, rolling his yellow eyes fiercely ."I don't want to remember 'em, and every time I look at it I'll think of_the awful day I spent as a kitten ."

though it_was way past midnight, the four adventurers had so_much to_tell and so_many plans to_make for_the morrow, it_was a long_time before_they finally settled themselves for sleep . but after Betsy had heard all over again about princess Elma's marvelous toys and how Reddy had fallen into_the giant water pitcher, the little boy and girl stretched out on_the soft grass beside the road and pillowing their heads comfortably on_the tender-hearted old tiger, slept soundly as tops . but Carter did_not need to sleep, so perching upon a fence, he watched the moon sailing across the starry sky and kept a sharp lookout for Giants .

chapter 18

the third rash ruby

'' it_was wicked of Irashi to steal the throne, but I'm almost glad he_did," remarked the little prince of rash, as he and Betsy walked cheerfully down the road next morning ." why, if he hadn't, I'd never have known you or Carter and_the hungry tiger," continued Reddy, slashing at a tall weed with_his sword, " and I'd never have seen all these cities and celebrities ."

much refreshed by their night's rest, the four travellers had breakfasted royally on a giant peach and set out once more for_the emerald city of Oz .

"Don't you ever feel homesick ? " asked Betsy, a little wistfully . she, herself, was beginning to long for_the emerald city and a glimpse of Ozma and Dorothy and her many friends in Oz .

" well, i_would like to_see old Fizzenpop," admitted Reddy with a sigh ." he_must_be wondering where I_am, and it_will_be fun to_be a prince again . still, I_am_glad we had all of_these adventures together, aren't you Carter ? "

the vegetable man nodded, but the hungry tiger did_not seem at all enthusiastic . his experiences as a kitten still made him angry .

" what makes you_think our adventures are over ? " he rumbled irritably ." we don't even know where we_are .I trust we_are going in_the right direction," he grunted, looking over his shoulder at Betsy ." and even if_we_are, how shall we cross the deadly desert ? we_have to cross the desert before we come to Oz, you_know ."

" let's wait till we come to_it," advised Betsy, sensibly ." and if Reddy puts on_his giant wig," she added suddenly, " he can_see whether we_are going in_the right direction and-"

" whether there's anything to eat," put in_the hungry tiger, who had_not cared much for_his breakfast ." maybe there's a roast beef bush around somewhere," he finished hopeully .

Reddy really enjoyed nothing better than shooting up into a giant . as he explained to Betsy, it made achap see things in a much bigger way . so, quite willingly, he clapped on Elma's wig and, turning slowly, looked in all directions .

as he_was now taller than_the tallest tree anywhere about, he could_see for miles around and it at once became apparent to_those on_the ground that he had made an astonishing discovery

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