So the boy went willingly errand, and he had returned Dorothy was awake Then the three held counsel to decide what they should do next, but could think of no way to better their condition

"I don't like these veg'table people," said the little girl "They're cold and flabby, like cabbages, prettiness "

"I agree because no warm blood ," remarked the Wizard

"And no hearts; so 't love anyone--not even themselves," declared the boy

"The Princess is lovely to look at," continued Dorothy, thoughtfully; "but I don't care much for her, after all If place , I'd like there "

"But place ? " asked the Wizard

"I don't know," she answered

Just then they heard the big voice of Jim the cab-horse calling , and going doorway leading dome they found the Princess and throng of her people had entered the House Sorcerer

So they went down to greet the beautiful vegetable lady, who said :

" talking with my advisors about you meat people, and decided that belong Land Mangaboos and must not remain here "

"How can we go away ? " asked Dorothy

"Oh, go away, ; so destroyed," answer

"In what way ? " enquired the Wizard

" throw you three people Garden Twining Vines," said the Princess, "and soon crush you and devour your bodies themselves grow bigger The animals drive mountains and put Black Pit Then our country rid of all its unwelcome visitors "

"But in need of Sorcerer," said the Wizard, "and not one growing is yet ripe enough to pick greater than any thorn-covered sorcerer that every grew in your garden Why destroy me ? "

" true Sorcerer," acknowledged the Princess, "but informed that own ready to pick , to place of Gwig, whom you cut in two before time for him planted your arts, sorceries able to perform Then decide whether to destroy you others or not "

the Wizard made bow people and repeated his trick of producing the nine tiny piglets and making them disappear again it very cleverly, indeed, Princess looked strange piglets she were as truly astonished as any vegetable person But afterward she said:

" heard wonderful magic But it accomplishes nothing of value What else do ? "

The Wizard tried Then he jointed together the blades sword and balanced it very skillfully end nose But even that satisfy the Princess

Just then his eye fell lanterns can of kerosene oil which Zeb had brought car balloon, and he got clever idea from those commonplace things

"Your Highness," said he, " now proceed my magic by creating two suns that never seen before; also exhibit Destroyer much more dreadful that your Clinging Vines "

So he placed Dorothy upon one side of him boy other and set lantern upon each heads

"Don't laugh," he whispered , "or spoil the effect magic "

Then, with much dignity and look of vast importance upon his wrinkled face, the Wizard got out his match-box and lighted the two lanterns The glare they made was when compared radiance six great colored suns; but still they gleamed steadily and clearly The Mangaboos were much impressed because they had never before seen any light that come directly from their suns

Next the Wizard poured pool of oil can glass floor, where it covered quite broad surface When he lighted the oil hundred tongues of flame shot up, effect was really imposing

"Now, Princess," exclaimed the Wizard, "those of your advisors who wished to throw us Garden of Clinging Vines must step within this circle of light advised you well, and were right, be injured in But if any advised you wrongly, the light will wither him "

The advisors Princess like this test; but she commanded them to step flame and one by one so, and were scorched so badly air was soon filled with an odor like that of baked potatoes Mangaboos fell down and had dragged fire, and all were so withered necessary to plant them at once

"Sir," said the Princess Wizard, " greater than any Sorcerer ever known evident that my people have advised me wrongly, cast you three people dreadful Garden Clinging Vines; but your animals driven Black Pit mountain, subjects cannot bear them around "

The Wizard was so pleased saved the two children and himself that nothing against this decree; but Princess had gone both Jim and Eureka protested want Black Pit, and Dorothy promised do all that to save them from such fate

For days -- call days the periods between sleep, there being no night to divide the hours into days--our friends disturbed in They were even permitted to occupy the House Sorcerer in peace, it their own, and to wander gardens in search of food

Once they came near enclosed Garden Clinging Vines, and walking high air looked down upon it with much interest They saw mass of tough green vines all matted together and writhing and twisting around like nest of great snakes Everything the vines touched they crushed, adventurers were indeed thankful escaped being cast among them

Whenever the Wizard went to sleep nine tiny piglets pocket and let them run around floor room to amuse themselves and get some exercise; and they found his glass door ajar and wandered hall and then bottom part great dome, walking air as easily as Eureka could They knew the kitten, , so they scampered over to where she lay beside Jim and commenced to frisk and play with her

The cab-horse, who never slept long , sat upon his haunches and watched the tiny piglets kitten with much approval

"Don't be rough ! " call out, if Eureka knocked over round, fat piglets with her paw; but the pigs never minded, and enjoyed the sport very greatly

Suddenly they looked up the room filled silent, solemn-eyed Mangaboos Each vegetable folks bore branch covered with sharp thorns, thrust defiantly toward the horse, the kitten piglets

"Here--stop this foolishness ! " Jim roared, angrily; but after being pricked he got upon his four legs and kept way thorns

The Mangaboos surrounded them in solid ranks, but left an opening doorway hall; so the animals slowly retreated until they were driven room and out street Here were more vegetable people with thorns, and silently they urged the now frightened creatures down the street Jim had careful not to step tiny piglets, who scampered under his feet grunting and squealing, while Eureka, snarling and biting thorns pushed toward her, also tried to protect the pretty little things from injury Slowly but steadily the heartless Mangaboos drove them on, until they had passed city gardens and come broad plains leading mountain

"What does all this mean, anyhow ? " asked the horse, jumping to escape thorn

"Why, driving us toward the Black Pit, into which they threatened to cast us," replied the kitten "If I were as big , Jim, I'd fight these miserable turnip-roots ! "

"What would ? " enquired Jim

"I'd kick out with those long legs and iron-shod hoofs "

"All right," said the horse; "I'll "

An instant later he suddenly backed toward the crowd of Mangaboos and kicked out his hind legs as hard as dozen smashed together and tumbled ground, and seeing his success Jim kicked again and again, charging vegetable crowd, knocking them in all directions and sending the others scattering to escape his iron heels Eureka helped him by flying faces enemy and scratching and biting furiously, kitten ruined vegetable complexions Mangaboos feared her the horse