"Why, this the Fiddlebow Boat," cried the little boy, hastening over to examine it of smooth and satiny garnet, and exactly the shape of huge, hollowed-out fiddle It rode gaily end pink line, and this discovery only made Bob more anxious than ever the clown Calling first Notta and then Nick, he ran back big tree, and just as he reached horrified witch bending over the pile of leaves he had slept on With shrill scream Bob turned to flee but the witch came bounding and hobbling after, calling to him in pleading tones not to run away But the more the witch called, the faster Bob ran, and running yet, had he not tripped over the roots of tree and fallen headlong In an instant the black hands pursuer jerked him feet

"Bob ! Bob ! " cried the witch remorsefully, "don't me ? Bob, it's Notta only old Notta ! "

"Notta ? " gasped Bob, for entirely out of breath and trembling like leaf

"There ! There ! " coaxed the clown "It's disguises " As Bob continued to regard him with disfavor, he explained hurriedly, " we're going Emerald City, Bob Up, where person is more or less magic Now, what attention would they pay to silly clown ? Why, even listen But if I pretend powerful witch, Princess Ozma Wizard of Oz, whom we've been hearing about, will hasten what "

"You'll frighten them," said Bob stubbornly, but Notta shook his head "People in fairy cities aren't frightened as easily as little boys," he chuckled knowingly "And just look what I've found you for breakfast ! "

In Bob's cap he had gathered nuts and berries of every kind, and Bob, seeing Notta was determined Emerald City as witch, said nothing more but began to eat hungrily After hearty breakfast, Nick came flapping back and was so startled clown's disguise that his nose fell off the hook with crash But Notta soon reassured him and, as Bob was tingling with impatience to show them the boat they finished the berries in great haste

" friendliest forest I ever was in," repeated the clown, viewing Bob's discovery with delight " take us out faster than walk and it's much safer Flyaboutabus Now then, all aboard Emerald City ! "

Gathering up his witch skirts, Notta leaped Fiddlebow Boat and, seizing the long oar, pushed it in close bank Snorer alighted end, and Bob settled himself cozily cushions Merrily the boat went dancing down the stream, propelled by Notta's strong arm that marred Bob's pleasure thought of Notta's disguise But he determined Dorothy, or the first person they met, clown was not witch, but the jolliest fellow Somewhat comforted thought, Bob gave himself pure enjoyment

"Did you hear the fiddles last night ? " asked the little boy presently

"Bob," sighed Notta, " , and never heard any like it whole travels "

"It must my snoring you heard," said Nick, preening his feathers busily, for to appear at his best Emerald City Notta laughed uproariously and almost upset the boat They all felt light-hearted and gay, and Bob was no more like the solemn little orphan who had fallen into Mudge than Nick's snoring was like the music Fiddlestick Forest

"I wonder boys and girls Emerald City besides Dorothy ? " asked Bob, after little pause "And I wonder if Dorothy ever heard of Un or Doorways ? "

"You'll have plenty this little girl from Kansas, eh, Bob Up ? " smiled the clown, and Snorer, after adjusting his nose, related all that Emerald City, which unfortunately wasn't much, as very little news capital ever came to Un

" the Cowardly Lion is having as pleasant journey ," said Notta, skimmed along under the branches trees, "and Crunch is behaving himself properly "

" think he'd be hard person along with," chirped Nick, giving the clown nudge so sure the joke

"Because he's made of stone, you mean ? " replied Notta "Well, trust the Cowardly Lion to manage him Hello ! Looks we were woods "

turn rapid little stream had brought them into broad meadow Fiddlebow Boat stopped own accord

"Guess as far as it goes," puffed the clown, after vainly endeavoring to push it forward oar So he guided it bank all hopped out, "But it doesn't seem right to leave it here," observed Notta, scratching his ear anxiously

No sooner had he spoken than tall tree near the edge water leaned down, seized the boat in its branches, and passed it along next tree, and in second being tossed lightly from tree to tree, much amazement of Notta and Bob

With wonders happening every moment, expect them used , but they were newly astonished last trace magic boat disappeared, they struck out across the meadow, for already over the top of little hill see the sparkling green towers Emerald City of Oz

Nick, hopping sidewise, paused every that his curly nose was safely on its hook Notta began rehearsing long speeches he meant lovely little ruler of Oz, while Bob skipped two, nearly bursting with excitement other side meadow they came yellow brick road mentioned by Mustafa windows little green cottages scattered here and there, the inhabitants looked at them curiously, and several quaintly dressed town folk whom they met road, at sight of witch, took immediately heels But without waiting to explain themselves or talk to anyone, the three hurried on gates Emerald City itself

Bob gazed with round-eyed delight, Nick began to snort with surprise, and Notta, who had seen course travels every great city on two continents, was struck dumb with amazement, capital city of Oz outshone them all in beauty and magnificence Its streets of green marble sparkled with emeralds, palace, rising majestically from its flowering gardens, shone with splendor bright morning sunshine The Guardian Gate was breakfasting cottage, and Nick flew over the bars and, turning the emerald key, quietly admitted Bob and Notta

" proceed main tent," puffed the clown bit nervously, for ill at ease among magnificence He had forgotten every word speech and, with sigh, resolved to stick old rules disguise, Politeness, joke and run "Though no reason why to run," he muttered uneasily, settling his witch hat bit more firmly

still rather early gardens were deserted, but all at once Bob, who was bit ahead others, spied little girl in pink, sitting edge of fountain, reading

"It's Dorothy ! " cried Bob, waving excitedly

"She looks just like picture lion book ! Come on ! " Immediately Snorer spread his wings and flung himself air Notta grasped his black cloak and catching Bob's hand started on run fountain

The flapping of Nick's wings made Dorothy look up With little scream she jumped to her feet, for any little girl, even though Princess of Oz, cannot help being afraid of witches

"Help ! " cried Dorothy, turning to run But just then she caught sight of gold bucket that always stood beside the fountain, and she remembered an experience she had had wicked witch West Water had melted one witch- another ? Seizing the bucket, she filled it hastily fountain and, just witch, strange bird and little boy reached her, she flung its contents over the witch's head

"Oh ! Oh ! " screamed Snorer " insulted the most beautiful person in Oz "

Notta, taken completely by surprise, could do nothing but choke and splutter

"Wait ! " panted Bob, for Dorothy was refilling the bucket But too late and down splashed another bucket on Notta's head, carrying away his hat and drenching his black wig Unable , Notta began to wave his arms, and anything but reassuring to Dorothy Snatching little silver whistle that hung on ribbon on her neck, she blew shrilly The next instant running feet heard on all the garden paths and in twinkling Bob and Notta were surrounded

" it ? " boomed Sir Hokus of Pokes, Dorothy's Knight Errant He brought his mailed fist heavily down upon Notta's witch shoulder The Soldier Green Whiskers, not outdone, grasped Bob Up and Tik Tok leaned over stiffly and seized Snorer neck More and more people kept arriving, and though Bob tried his best himself heard, general confusion his voice was drowned out, and in disgrace they were marched palace Ozma was having quiet game of checkers Scarecrow and looked up in amazement company burst throne room

"A witch ! " shrilled the Patchwork Girl, dancing madly head procession,

"A witch, witch, As black as pitch, to steal your throne And sich ! "

" only stop screaming," thought poor Bob, looking anxiously lovely little figure of Ozma of Oz Just then , for Ozma, glancing in surprise and displeasure witch, raised her scepter for silence

CHAPTER 19 Emerald City

WHO found this witch ? " asked Ozma anxiously, for witches of any sort distressed the kind little fairy ruler

"Who found witch ? " repeated Scraps, waving her cotton arms wildly; but at reproving nod Scarecrow she subsided Before Dorothy could answer, Tik Tok's machinery ran down iron hold on Nick's neck relaxed, much relief

"Villains ! " squalled Snorer, flapping air " fine way to receive friends I've mind to pull out your beard," he screamed angrily, beating his wings face Soldier Green Whiskers