7 Black Pit and Out Again

came mountain it proved rugged, towering chunk of deep green glass, and looked dismal and forbidding extreme Half way up the steep was yawning cave, black as night beyond the point where the rainbow rays colored suns reached

The Mangaboos drove the horse kitten piglets dark hole and then, having pushed the buggy in after them-- seemed had dragged it all the way domed hall--they began to pile big glass rocks entrance, so prisoners get out again

" dreadful ! " groaned Jim " end adventures, I guess "

" Wizard was here," said piglets, sobbing bitterly, " see us suffer so "

"We called him and Dorothy when we were first attacked," added Eureka "But never mind; be brave, my friends, go and tell our masters where , and get them to your rescue "

The mouth hole was nearly filled up now, but the kitten gave leap remaining opening and at once scampered up air The Mangaboos saw her escape, and several caught up their thorns and gave chase, mounting air after her Eureka, however, was lighter Mangaboos, and while mount only about hundred feet above the earth the kitten found go nearly two hundred feet So she ran along over their heads until she had left them far behind and below and had come city House Sorcerer There she entered in at Dorothy's window dome and aroused her from her sleep

little girl knew what had happened she awakened the Wizard and Zeb, and at once preparations were made rescue of Jim piglets The Wizard carried his satchel, quite heavy, and Zeb carried the two lanterns oil can Dorothy's wicker suit-case was still under the seat buggy, and by good fortune the boy had also placed the harness buggy when he had taken it off from Jim to let the horse lie down and rest So nothing girl to carry but the kitten, which she held close to her bosom and tried to comfort, for its little heart was still beating rapidly

Mangaboos discovered them they left the House Sorcerer; but started toward the mountain the vegetable people allowed them without interference, yet followed in crowd behind them go back again

Before long they neared the Black Pit, where busy swarm of Mangaboos, headed by their Princess, was engaged in piling up glass rocks entrance

"Stop, I command you ! " cried the Wizard, in an angry tone, and at once began pulling down the rocks to liberate Jim piglets Instead of opposing him they stood back in silence until he had made good-sized hole barrier, when by order Princess they all sprang forward and thrust out their sharp thorns

Dorothy hopped inside the opening to escape being pricked, and Zeb Wizard, after enduring few stabs thorns, were glad her At once the Mangaboos began piling up the rocks of glass again, and little man realized were all about entombed mountain children:

"My dears, what shall ? Jump out and fight ? "

"What's the use ? " replied Dorothy "I'd as soon die here as live much longer cruel and heartless people "

"That's the way ," remarked Zeb, rubbing his wounds "I've had enough Mangaboos "

"All right," said the Wizard; "I'm , whatever you decide But 't live long cavern, that's certain "

Noticing light was growing dim he picked up his nine piglets, patted lovingly on its fat little head, and placed them carefully inside pocket

Zeb struck match and lighted lanterns The rays colored suns were now shut out forever, chinks filled up wall that separated their prison Land Mangaboos

"How big hole ? " asked Dorothy

"I'll explore it ," replied the boy

So he carried the lantern back for quite distance, while Dorothy Wizard followed at his side The cavern come to an end, had expected it would, but slanted upward great glass mountain, running in direction that promised to lead them side opposite the Mangaboo country

"It isn't bad road," observed the Wizard, "and followed it it might lead us to some place more comfortable than this black pocket now in I suppose the vegetable folk were always afraid to enter this cavern because dark; but our lanterns to light the way, so I propose that we start out and discover where this tunnel mountain leads to "

The others agreed readily sensible suggestion, and at once the boy began to harness Jim buggy When all was in readiness the three took their seats buggy and Jim started cautiously along the way, Zeb driving while the Wizard and Dorothy each held lighted lantern so the horse where

Sometimes the tunnel was so narrow wheels buggy grazed the sides; then it would broaden out as wide as street; but the floor was usually smooth, and they travelled on without any accident Jim stopped sometimes to rest, climb was rather steep and tiresome

" nearly as high six colored suns, ," said Dorothy "I didn't know this mountain was so tall "

" certainly good distance away Land Mangaboos," added Zeb; "for slanted away we started "

But they kept steadily moving, and just as Jim was about tired out long journey the way suddenly grew lighter, and Zeb put out the lanterns to save the oil

joy they found white light that now greeted them, for all were weary colored rainbow lights which, after time, had made their eyes ache with their constantly shifting rays The sides tunnel showed before them like the inside of long spy-glass, floor became more level Jim hastened his lagging steps assurance of quick relief dark passage, and in more they had emerged mountain and found themselves with new and charming country

8 The Valley of Voices

By journeying glass mountain they had reached delightful valley that was shaped like the hollow of great cup, with another rugged mountain showing other side of it, and soft and pretty green hills ends all laid out into lovely lawns and gardens, with pebble paths leading through them and groves of beautiful and stately trees dotting the landscape here and there There were orchards, too, bearing luscious fruits all unknown world Alluring brooks of crystal water flowed sparkling between their flower-strewn banks, while scattered over the valley were dozens quaintest and most picturesque cottages our travelers had ever beheld were in clusters, such as villages or towns, but each had ample grounds own, with orchards and gardens surrounding it

new arrivals gazed exquisite scene they were enraptured by its beauties fragrance that permeated the soft air, which they breathed so gratefully confined atmosphere tunnel Several minutes were consumed in silent admiration noticed two very singular and unusual facts valley One was lighted from some unseen source; for no sun or moon was arched blue sky, although every object was flooded with clear and perfect light The second and even more singular fact absence of any inhabitant splendid place From their elevated position overlook the entire valley, but not single moving object could they see All appeared mysteriously deserted

The mountain side was not glass, but made of stone similar to granite With some difficulty and danger Jim drew the buggy over the loose rocks until he reached the green lawns below, where the paths and orchards and gardens began The nearest cottage was still some distance away

"Isn't it fine ? " cried Dorothy, in joyous voice, as she sprang buggy and let Eureka run frolicking over the velvety grass

"Yes, indeed ! " answered Zeb "We were lucky away from those dreadful vegetable people "

"It wouldn't be so bad," remarked the Wizard, gazing around him, " were obliged to live here always We couldn't find prettier place, I'm sure "

the piglets pocket and let them run grass, and Jim tasted mouthful green blades and declared very contented new surroundings

" 't walk air here, though," called Eureka, who had tried it and failed; but the others were satisfied to walk ground, Wizard said nearer the surface earth then they Mangaboo country, for everything was more homelike and natural

"But where are the people ? " asked Dorothy

The little man shook his bald head

"Can't imagine, my dear," he replied

They heard the sudden twittering of bird, but find the creature anywhere Slowly they walked along the path toward the nearest cottage, the piglets racing and gambolling beside them and Jim pausing at every step for another mouthful of grass

Presently they came to low plant which had broad, spreading leaves, center grew single fruit about as large as peach The fruit was so daintily colored and so fragrant, and looked so appetizing and delicious that Dorothy stopped and exclaimed:

" it, s'pose ? "

The piglets had smelled the fruit quickly, and girl could reach out her hand to pluck it nine tiny ones had rushed in and commenced to devour it with great eagerness

"It's good, anyway," said Zeb, "or those little rascals wouldn't have gobbled it up so greedily "

"Where are they ? " asked Dorothy, in astonishment

They all looked around, but the piglets had disappeared

"Dear me ! " cried the Wizard; " run away But I didn't see them go; did you ? "

"No ! " replied the boy girl, together

"Here,--piggy, piggy, piggy ! " called their master, anxiously