Oz 16: Kabumpo in Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson
Section [1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19]
work girl, sitting up cautiously . she had bounced all around the room and finally rolled into a corner quite close to_the Scarecrow himself . she put out her cotton hand as she spoke and touched him .

" how fortunate we_are unbreakable," said the Scarecrow, pressing her cotton fingers convulsively and trying to peer out through_the intense blackness of_the room ." what happened ? "

" earthquake ! " shivered Scraps ." and maybe it's not over ! "

" must_have knocked everybody silly," said the Scarecrow huskily .

" except us," giggled the patch work girl ." we couldn't be knocked silly ' cause we were silly in_the first place ."

" now, don't make jokes, please," begged the Scarecrow ." this_is serious . besides, i_want to_think ."

" all right," said Scraps cheerfully ."I don't- but I'm going to_feel around and_see if I_can find the matches . there used to_be some candles on_the mantel and-" as she spoke, Scraps fell headlong over sir Hokus of Pokes and as luck would_have it her cotton fingers closed over a small gold match box .Picking herself up carefully, Scraps struck a match on sir Hokus' armor and looked anxiously around the room .

" they need water," said the patch work girl, wrinkling up her patchwork forehead .

" so will_you if_you don't blow out that match ! " cried the Scarecrow in alarm, for Scraps continued to hold the match till it burned to_the very end . he jumped up clumsily and puffed out the light just in_time .Scraps promptly lit another and as she did so the Scarecrow saw a tall blue candle sticking out_of_the waste basket .

" here," said the straw man nervously ." light this and stand it on_the mantel there ." by_the flickering candle light the Scarecrow and Scraps tried to set Dorothy's room to rights . they dragged the mattress from_the bed- room and placed the little girls on_it, side by side . sir Hokus was too heavy to move, so they merely loosened his armor and put a sofa cushion under his head . then, just as Scraps was going for some water, the room began to tremble again .

" i_told you it wasn't over," cried Scraps, flinging both arms about_the Scarecrow s neck . and as_they rocked to and fro she shouted merrily:

" shaker ! shaker ! who art thee, to shake a castle like a tree ? shaker ! shaker ! go away and come again some other day ! "

" now, Scraps," begged the Scarecrow, steadying the patch work girl with one hand and catching hold of a table with_the other, everything depends on us . do try to_keep your head ! "

" keep my head ! " shrilled Scraps, as_the room tilted over and slid all the furniture sideways ."I'll be lucky if I keep my feet .Whoopee ! here we go ! " and go they_did with a rush into_the farthest corner . slowly the room righted itself and everything grew quiet again .

" I_know what I'm going to_do," said the Scarecrow determinedly ." before anything else happens I'm going to_see what has happened already ."

" how ? " asked Scraps, bouncing to her feet .

" the magic picture," gasped the Scarecrow ." you bring the candle, Scraps, like a good girl . you're less liable to_take fire than I_am . then we'll come back and help Dorothy and_the others ."

" good idea," said Scraps, taking the candle from_the mantel .Breathlessly the two tip- toed along the hall to Ozma's apartment . on_the wall in one of Ozma's rooms hangs the most magic possession in Oz . it_is a picture representing a country scene, but when_you ask it where a certain person is, immediately he_is shown in_the picture and also what he_is doing at_the_time .

" so," murmured the Scarecrow, as_they gained the room in safety, " if_it tells where other people are, it ought to_tell us where we_are ourselves ."

Drawing aside the curtain that covered the picture the Scarecrow demanded loudly, " where are we ? "

Scraps held the candle so_that its flickering rays fell directly on_the picture . then both jumped in earnest, for in a flash the face of Ruggedo, the wicked old gnome king, appeared, on_his head a great, green towering sort of hat .

the Scarecrow seized the candle from Scraps and held it closer to_the picture . he squinted up one eye and almost rubbed his painted nose off .

" great Kinkajous ! " spluttered the straw man distractedly ." that's a palace on_his head- an emerald palace-Ozma's palace ! "

" but how ? " asked Scraps, her suspender button eyes almost dropping out ." he's nothing but a gnome . he's-"

before Scraps could finish her sentence the palace began to tilt forward and_they both fell upon their faces . then the picture jerked loose and fell with aclattering slam on their heads, followed by such ornaments as had_not already tumbled down before . through it all Scraps held the candle high in air and fortunately it did_not go out, despite the turmoil .

in a few_moments the palace stopped rocking and a muffled call from Ozma sent the Scarecrow and Scraps hurrying to her bedside . after some trouble, for they were both flimsily made, they managed to free the little princess of Oz from_the poles and bed curtains .

" goodness ! " sighed Ozma, looking around at_the terrible confusion .

" not goodness, but badness," said the scare- crow, settling his hat firmly, " and Ruggedo is at_the bottom of it and of us ." he quickly explained to Ozma what he had seen in_the magic picture .

Slipping on a silk robe, Ozma followed them into_the next room . when_the picture had_been rehung, they all looked again . this_time Ozma asked where the palace was . immediately the old gnome king appeared and there could_be no mistake- the palace was set squarely on_his head . the picture did_not show the real size of Ruggedo nor of_the palace, but it_was enough .

" he_must_have sprung into a giant," gasped Ozma, scarcely believing her eyes ."Oh, what shall we_do ? "

" the first thing to_do is to_keep him quiet . every time he shakes his head it tumbles us about so," complained the Scarecrow, plumping up the straw in_his chest ." and we_must look after Dorothy and Betsy and trot ."

" and sir Hokus," added the patch work girl, flinging out one hand ." he's yearning to slay a giant .' way for_the giant killer ! "

without waiting for_the others Scraps ran back to Dorothy's sitting room .Lighting another candle, for all the lights in_the palace were out, Ozma and_the Scarecrow followed .

"Odds Goblins ! " gasped the knight, as_they entered . he_was sitting up with one hand to_his head .

" not goblins-giants ! " cried the patch work girl, with a bounce, while Ozma ran for some water to restore her three little friends .

" where ? " puffed the knight, lurching to_his feet .

" beneath you," said the Scarecrow, clutching at a wisp of straw that stuck out of_his head ." say ! some one wind up Tik Tok . there's alot of thinking to_be_done here and_his head works very_well, even if_it has wheels inside ."

sir Hokus, though still a bit dizzy, hastened to wind up all the copper man's keys .

" thanks," said Tik Tok immediately ." give_me a lift up, Hokus ." the knight obligingly helped the copper man to_his feet . then both stared in amazement at_the topsy turvy room . even in_the dim candle light they_could see that something very serious had occurred .

jack Pumpkinhead picked himself up out of a corner, looking very_much dazed .

just then Dorothy opened her eyes, and Betsy and trot, spluttering from_the water the patch work girl was pouring on their heads, sat up and wanted to_know what had happened . in a few words Ozma told them what the magic picture had revealed .

"Ruggedo to a giant's grown and set us on_his head . we've made some headway, you'll admit, since we have_gone to bed ! "

- shouted Scraps, who was growing more and more excited .

"Rug-ge- do will never re- form," ticked the copper man sadly .

" but what_are we going to_do ? " wailed Dorothy ." suppose he leans over and spills us all out ? "

" I_shall take my sword," said sir Hokus, speaking very determinedly, and backing toward the window as he spoke, " climb down, and slay the villain ." he threw one leg over the sill .

" come back ! " cried Ozma ." dear_Sir Hokus, don't you realize_that if_you kill Ruggedo he_will fall down and break us to pieces ? besides, wicked as he_is, I_could_not have him killed ."

" yes, we_should_be all broken up if you_did that," sighed the Scarecrow ." we_must try something else ."

reluctantly, the knight dropped back into_the room ." close the windows," ordered Ozma with a little shudder .

"I've thought of a plan," said Tik Tok, in_his slow, painstaking way ."A ve-ry good plan ."

" tell us what it_is," begged Dorothy ." and Oh, Tik Tok, hurry ! "

"Eggs," said the copper man solemnly .

"Oh" gasped Dorothy, "I remember .Eggs are the only things in Oz that Ruggedo is afraid of; for if an egg touches a gnome he shrivels up and disappears ."

" then where are the eggs ? " demanded sir Hokus gloomily ." in faith, this sounds more like an omelet than a battle . but if_we're to fight with eggs instead of swords, let_us draw them at once .

" you mean throw them," corrected Dorothy . but Tik Tok shook his head violently .

" not throw them," said the copper man slowly, " threat-en to throw them ."

" but how can we threaten a giant so_far below us ? " asked Ozma .

" print a sign," directed Tic Tok calmly, " and low-er it down to him ."

"Tik Tok," cried the Scarecrow, rushing forward and embracing him impulsively, " your patent- action- double-guaranteed brains are marvels .I couldn't have thought up a better plan myself ."

now off ran Scraps to fetch a huge piece of cardboard, and_the Scarecrow for a paint brush, and sir Hokus for a piece of rope ." it's growing lighter," quavered trot, looking toward the windows . the sky was turning gray with little streaks of pink, and_the three girls huddled together on_the mattress gave a sigh of relief, for nothing, not even a giant, seems so bad by daylight .

" perhaps someone has already started to help_us, said Ozma hopefully ." but here's the sign board . what shall we write ? "

" how shall I begin ? " asked the Scarecrow, dipping the brush into a can of green paint ." dear Ruggedo ? "

" i_should say not," said Dorothy indignantly, " then I_shall simply say, sir," said the Scarecrow .

" if_you move or turn or shake your head a- gain, ten thou- sand eggs will_be hurl-ed from_the PAL- ace windows," suggested Tik Tok .

as_this message met with general approval, the Scarecrow set it down with many flourishes and blotches of paint spilled between . then Ozma painted her name and_the royal seal of Oz at_the end .

meanwhile, with_the help of a pair of field glasses, sir Hokus had located Ruggedo's nose, sticking out like a huge cliff below the middle window of Dorothy's room . so, .tying a long rope to each corner of_the sign, and rolling it up so it would go through_the window, the knight let it down till it dangled directly in front of Ruggedo's nose .

at first Ruggedo did_not even see the sign, which_was about as large as_the tiniest visiting card compared to him . but it blew against his face and tickled his cheek . he tried to brush it away . then, suddenly noticing it_was dangling from above, he seized it in one hand and held it close to_his left eye . the words were so small for a giant that Ruggedo had to squint fearfully before he_could make them out at all, but when he_did he_gave abloodcurdling scream, and began to tremble violently .

up in_the palace the entire company fell over and twenty windows were shaken to bits . then everything grew quiet and there_was perfect silence; for Ruggedo, realizing his danger, grew rigid with fright . giant drops of perspiration trickled down his forehead . how long could_be keep from moving ?

" well," said Dorothy after a few_minutes had passed, "I guess that_will keep him quiet, but what next ? shall we let ourselves down with ropes ? "

" we_have none long enough," said sir Hokus .

" then I'll fall out and go for help," said the Scarecrow brightly, and started toward the window . when he reached it he paused in astonishment ." look," he cried, waving excitedly to_the others, " here comes someone, walking right over the clouds ."

chapter 15

the sand man Takes a hand

someone was coming toward the palace .a little gray-cloaked old gentleman-a surprisingly quick and nimble old gentleman-springing from cloud to cloud and pausing now_and_then to straighten a huge sack he carried over his left shoulder . he_was so busy admiring the lovely sky colors behind him and waving merrily at_the fluffy cloud figures above his head, that he_did_not_see Ozma's shining palace until he_was almost upon it .

"Stars ! " murmured the little old gentleman, balancing perilously on_the very edge of a silver cloud ." another air castle ! how delightful ! I_shall jump right through it ! "

Gathering himself together he leaped straight toward the window out of_which Dorothy and Ozma and_the others were looking . with a soft thud he struck the emerald setting just above the window, and down tumbled his sack .opening as it fell and filling the air with clouds of silver sand . down tumbled the little old gentleman, turning over and over, and finally landing on ablankety white cloud far below .

all of_this Dorothy saw, and was about to ask Ozma what it could mean when an overpowering drowsiness stole over her . before she_could speak her eyes closed, and she sank backward into a big arm chair . trot and Betsy bobbin with two little sighs crumpled down to_the floor . the head of sir Hokus dropped heavily on_the sill, and not even in Pokes had he snored so lustily .Ozma slipped gently down beside Betsy and trot, and in a moment there_was not

Section [1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19]