Oz 09: The Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum
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all the world . this part of it_is just a corner of_the Quadling country, and_the least interesting portion of it . it's not very thickly settled, around here, I'll admit, but --"

he_was interrupted by a sudden whir and a rush of air as_the four Orks mounted into_the sky .

" good night ! " called the shrill voices of_the strange creatures, and although trot shouted " good night ! " as loudly as she_could, the little girl was almost ready to cry because the Orks had_not waited to_be properly thanked for all their kindness to her and to Cap'n bill .

but the Orks were gone, and thanks for good deeds do_not amount to much except to_prove one's politeness .

" well, friends," said the Scarecrow, " we mustn't stay here in_the meadows all night, so let_us find a pleasant place to sleep . not that_it matters to_me, in_the least, for I never sleep; but I_know that meat people like to shut their eyes and lie still during the dark hours ."

"I'm pretty tired," admitted trot, yawning as she followed the straw man along a tiny path, " so, if_you don't find a house handy, Cap'n bill and_I_will sleep under the trees, or even on_this soft grass ."

but a house was not very far off, although when_the Scarecrow stumbled upon it there_was no light in_it whatever .Cap'n bill knocked on_the door several_times, and there being no response the Scarecrow boldly lifted the latch and walked in, followed by_the others . and no sooner had they entered than a soft light filled the room . trot couldn't tell where it came from, for no lamp of any sort was visible, but she did_not waste much time on_this problem, because directly in_the center of_the room stood a table set for three, with lots of good food on_it and several of_the dishes smoking hot .

the little girl and button- bright both uttered exclamations of pleasure, but they looked in vain for any cook stove or fireplace, or for any person who_might_have prepared for_them this delicious feast .

" it's fairyland," muttered the boy, tossing his cap in a corner and seating himself at_the table ." this supper smells ' most as good as_that turkey- leg I had in Jinxland . please pass the muffins, Cap'n bill ."

trot thought it_was strange that no people but themselves were in_the house, but on_the wall opposite the door was a gold frame bearing in big letters the word:

" welcome ."

so she had no further hesitation in eating of_the food so mysteriously prepared for_them .

" but there_are only places for three ! " she exclaimed .

" three are quite enough," said the Scarecrow ."I never eat, because I_am stuffed full already, and I like my nice clean straw better than I_do food ."

trot and_the sailor- man were hungry and made a hearty meal, for not since they had left home had they tasted such good food . it_was surprising that button- bright could eat so soon after his feast in Jinxland, but the boy always ate whenever there_was an opportunity ." if I don't eat now," he_said, " the next_time I'm hungry I'll wish I had ."

" really, Cap'n," remarked trot, when she found a dish of ice- cream appear beside her plate, "I b'lieve this_is fairyland, sure enough ."

" there's no_doubt of it, trot," he answered gravely

"I've been here before," said button- bright, " so I_know ."

after supper they discovered three tiny bedrooms adjoining the big living room of_the house, and in each room was a comfortable white bed with downy pillows . you_may_be_sure that_the tired mortals were_not long in bidding the Scarecrow good night and creeping into their beds, where they slept soundly until morning .

for_the first time since they set eyes on_the terrible whirlpool, trot and Cap'n bill were free from anxiety and care . button- bright never worried about anything . the Scarecrow, not being able to sleep, looked out_of_the window and tried to count the stars .

chapter Twenty- one

Dorothy, Betsy and Ozma

I suppose many of_my readers have read descriptions of_the beautiful and magnificent emerald city of Oz, so I_need not describe it here, except to state that never has any city in any fairyland ever equalled this_one in stately splendor . it lies almost exactly in_the center of_the land of Oz, and in_the center of_the emerald city rises the wall of glistening emeralds that surrounds the palace of Ozma . the palace is almost a city in itself and_is inhabited by many_of_the ruler's especial friends and those who_have won her confidence and favor . as for Ozma herself, there_are no words in any dictionary I_can find that_are fitted to describe this young girl's beauty of mind and person . merely to_see her is to love her for her charming face and manners; to_know her is to love her for her tender sympathy, her generous nature, her truth and honor . born of a long line of fairy Queens, Ozma is as nearly perfect as any fairy may_be, and she_is noted for her wisdom as_well as for her other qualities . her happy subjects adore their girl ruler and each_one considers her a comrade and protector .

at_the_time of_which I write, Ozma's best friend and most constant companion was a little Kansas girl named Dorothy, a mortal who had come to_the land of Oz in a very curious manner and had_been offered a home in Ozma's palace . furthermore, Dorothy had_been made a princess of Oz, and was as_much at home in_the royal palace as was_the gentle ruler . she knew almost every part of_the great country and almost all of_its numerous inhabitants . next to Ozma she was loved better than anyone in all Oz, for Dorothy was simple and sweet, seldom became angry and had such a friendly, chummy way that she made friends where- ever she wandered . it_was she who first brought the Scarecrow and_the tin woodman and_the cowardly lion to_the emerald city . Dorothy had also introduced to Ozma the shaggy man and_the hungry tiger, as_well as Billina the yellow Hen, eureka the pink kitten, and many_other delightful characters and creatures .Coming as she did from_our world, Dorothy was much like many_other girls we_know; so there were times when she was not so wise as she might_have_been, and other times when she was obstinate and got herself into trouble . but life in a fairy- land had taught the little girl to accept all sorts of surprising things as matters- of- course, for while Dorothy was no fairy -- but just as mortal as_we_are -- she had seen more wonders than most mortals ever do .

another little girl from_our outside world also lived in Ozma's palace . this_was Betsy bobbin, whose strange adventures had brought her to_the emerald city, where Ozma had cordially welcomed her .Betsy was a shy little thing and could never get used to_the marvels that surrounded her, but she and Dorothy were firm friends and thought themselves very fortunate in being together in_this delightful country .

one day Dorothy and Betsy were visiting Ozma in_the girl ruler's private apartment, and among_the things that especially interested them was Ozma's magic picture, set in a handsome frame and hung upon_the wall of_the room . this picture was a magic one because it constantly changed its scenes and showed events and adventures happening in all parts of_the world . thus it_was really a"moving picture" of life, and if_the one who stood before it wished to_know what any absent person was doing, the picture instantly showed that person, with_his or her surroundings .

the two girls were_not wishing to_see anyone in_particular, on_this occasion, but merely enjoyed watching the shifting scenes, some of_which were exceedingly curious and remarkable . suddenly Dorothy exclaimed: " why, there's button- bright ! " and this drew Ozma also to look at_the picture, for she and Dorothy knew the boy well .

" who_is button- bright ? " asked Betsy, who had never met him .

" why, he's the little boy who_is just getting off the back of_that strange flying creature," exclaimed Dorothy . then she turned to Ozma and asked: " what_is that thing, Ozma ? a bird ? I've never seen anything like it before ."

" it_is an Ork," answered Ozma, for they were watching the scene where the Ork and_the three big birds were first landing their passengers in Jinxland after_the long flight across the desert ."I wonder," added the girl ruler, musingly, " why those strangers dare venture into that unfortunate country, which_is ruled by a wicked king ."

" that girl, and_the one-legged man, seem_to_be mortals from_the outside world," said Dorothy

" the man isn't one-legged," corrected Betsy; " he has one wooden leg ."

" it's almost as bad," declared Dorothy, watching Cap'n bill stump around .

" they_are three mortal adventurers," said Ozma, " and_they seem worthy and honest . but I_fear they_will_be treated badly in Jinxland, and if_they meet with any misfortune there it_will reflect upon me, for Jinxland is a part of_my dominions ."

" can't we help them in any_way ? " inquired Dorothy ." that seems like a nice little girl .I'd be sorry if anything happened to her ."

" let_us watch the picture for awhile," suggested Ozma, and so they all drew chairs before_the magic picture and followed the adventures of trot and Cap'n bill and button- bright . presently the scene shifted and showed their friend the Scarecrow crossing the mountains into Jinxland, and_that somewhat relieved Ozma's anxiety, for she knew at once that Glinda the good had sent the Scarecrow to protect the strangers .

the adventures in Jinxland proved very interesting to_the three girls in Ozma's palace, who during the succeeding days spent much of_their time in watching the picture . it_was like a story to_them .

" that girl's areg'lar trump ! " exclaimed Dorothy, referring to trot, and Ozma answered:

" she's a dear little thing, and I'm sure nothing very bad will happen to her . the old sailor is a fine character, too, for he has never once grumbled over being a grasshopper, as so_many would_have done ."

when_the Scarecrow was so nearly burned up the girls all shivered a little, and_they clapped their hands in joy when_the flock of Orks came and saved him .

so it was_that when all the exciting adventures in Jinxland were over and_the four Orks had begun their flight across the mountains to carry the mortals into_the land of Oz, Ozma called the wizard to her and asked him to_prepare a place for_the strangers to sleep .

the famous wizard of Oz was a quaint little man who inhabited the royal palace and attended to all the magical things that Ozma wanted done . he_was not as powerful as Glinda, to_be_sure, but he_could do a great_many wonderful things . he proved this by placing a house in_the uninhabited part of_the Quadling country where the Orks landed Cap'n bill and trot and button- bright, and fitting it with all the comforts I_have described in_the last chapter .

next morning Dorothy said to Ozma:

"Oughtn't we to_go meet the strangers, so we_can show them the way to_the emerald city ? I'm sure that little girl will feel shy in_this beautiful land, and I_know if 'twas me I'd like somebody to_give_me a welcome ."

Ozma smiled at her little friend and answered:

" you and Betsy may go to meet them, if_you_wish, but I_can not leave my palace just now, as I_am to_have a conference with jack Pumpkinhead and professor Wogglebug on important matters . you_may take_the sawhorse and_the red wagon, and if_you start soon you_will_be_able to meet the Scarecrow and_the strangers at Glinda's palace ."

"Oh, thank_you ! " cried Dorothy, and went away to_tell Betsy and to_make preparations for_the journey .

chapter Twenty- two

the waterfall

Glinda's castle was a long way from_the mountains, but the Scarecrow began the journey cheerfully, since time was of no great importance in_the land of Oz and he had recently made the trip and knew the way . it never mattered much to button- bright where he_was or what he_was doing; the boy was content in being alive and having good companions to share his wanderings . as for trot and Cap'n bill, they now found themselves so comfortable and free from danger, in_this fine fairyland, and_they were so awed and amazed by_the adventures they were encountering, that_the journey to Glinda's castle was more like a pleasure trip than a hardship, so_many wonderful things were there to_see .

button- bright had_been in Oz before, but never in_this part of it, so the Scarecrow was_the only_one who knew the paths and could lead them . they had eaten a hearty breakfast, which they found already prepared for_them and awaiting them on_the table when_they arose from their refreshing sleep, so they left the magic house in a contented mood and with hearts lighter and more happy than they had known for many a day . as_they marched along through_the fields, the sun shone brightly and_the breeze was laden with delicious fragrance, for_it carried with it the breath of millions of wildflowers .

at noon, when_they stopped to rest by_the bank of a pretty river, trot said with a long- drawn breath that was much like a sigh:

" i_wish we'd brought with_us some_of_the food that was left from_our breakfast, for I'm getting hungry again ."

scarcely had she spoken when a table rose up before them, as_if from_the ground itself, and it_was loaded with fruits and nuts and cakes and many_other good things to eat . the little girl's eyes opened wide at_this display of magic, and Cap'n bill was not sure that_the things were actually there and fit to eat until he had taken them in_his hand and tasted

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