" good conscience, friend Horse," it said, "and attend to its teachings do much to protect you from harm Some day let you try to crush in my skull, and afterward know more about tigers than now "

"Any friend of Dorothy," remarked the Cowardly Lion, " our friend, So cease this talk of skull crushing and converse upon more pleasant subjects breakfasted, Sir Horse ? "

"Not yet," replied Jim "But plenty of excellent clover, so excuse me eat now "

"He's vegetarian," remarked the Tiger, horse began to munch the clover "If eat grass need conscience, for nothing could then tempt me to devour babies and lambs "

Just then Dorothy, who had risen early and heard the voices animals, ran out to greet her old friends She hugged both the Lion Tiger with eager delight, but seemed to love the King of Beasts little better than she did his hungry friend, having known him longer

they had indulged in good talk and Dorothy had told them all awful earthquake and her recent adventures, the breakfast bell rang palace little girl went inside to join her human comrades As she entered the great hall voice called out, in rather harsh tone:

"What ! here again ? "

"Yes, ," she answered, looking all around where the voice came from

"What brought you back ? " next question, and Dorothy's eye rested on an antlered head hanging wall just over the fireplace, and caught its lips act of moving

"Good gracious ! " she exclaimed " you were stuffed "

"So ," replied the head "But once on time part Gump, which Ozma sprinkled Powder of Life then for time the Head finest Flying Machine that was ever known to exist, and many wonderful things Afterward the Gump was taken apart and put back wall; but still talk when mood, not often "

"It's very strange," said the girl "What were you were first alive ? "

"That forgotten," replied the Gump's Head, "and of much importance But here comes Ozma; so I'd better hush up, Princess doesn't like me to chatter since she changed her name from Tip to Ozma "

Just then the girlish Ruler of Oz opened the door and greeted Dorothy with good-morning kiss The little Princess seemed fresh and rosy and in good spirits

"Breakfast is served, dear," she said, "and hungry So don't keep it waiting single minute "

17 The Nine Tiny Piglets

After breakfast Ozma announced that she had ordered holiday observed Emerald City, in honor of her visitors The people had learned that their old Wizard had returned and all were anxious him again, for he had always been rare favorite So first grand procession streets, after which the little old man was requested to perform some wizardries great Throne Room palace afternoon there were games and races

The procession was very imposing First came the Imperial Cornet Band of Oz, dressed in emerald velvet uniforms with slashes of pea-green satin and buttons of immense cut emeralds They played the National air called "The Oz Spangled Banner," and behind them were the standard bearers Royal flag This flag was divided into four quarters, one being colored sky-blue, another pink, third lavender and fourth white center was large emerald-green star, and all over the four quarters were sewn spangles that glittered beautifully sunshine The colors represented the four countries of Oz, green star the Emerald City

Just behind the royal standard-bearers came the Princess Ozma in her royal chariot, of gold encrusted with emeralds and diamonds set in exquisite designs The chariot was drawn occasion Cowardly Lion Hungry Tiger, who were decorated with immense pink and blue bows chariot rode Ozma and Dorothy, the former in splendid raiment and wearing her royal coronet, while the little Kansas girl wore around her waist the Magic Belt she had once captured Nome King

Following the chariot came the Scarecrow mounted Sawhorse, people cheered him almost as loudly their lovely Ruler Behind him stalked with regular, jerky steps, the famous machine-man called Tik-tok, who wound up by Dorothy occasion Tik-tok moved by clockwork, and all of burnished copper He really belonged Kansas girl, who had much respect thoughts after they properly wound and set going; but copper man useless in any place but fairy country Dorothy had left him in charge of Ozma, who saw that suitably cared for

There followed another band , called the Royal Court Band, because the members all lived palace They wore white uniforms with real diamond buttons and played " Oz without Ozma" very sweetly

Then came Professor Woggle-Bug, with group of students Royal College of Scientific Athletics The boys wore long hair and striped sweaters and yelled their college yell step they took, great satisfaction populace, this evidence that their lungs were in good condition

The brilliantly polished Tin Woodman marched next, head Royal Army of Oz which consisted of twenty-eight officers, from Generals down to Captains There were no privates army because all were so courageous and skillful promoted one by one until there were no privates left Jim buggy followed, the old cab-horse being driven by Zeb while the Wizard stood up seat and bowed his bald head right and left in answer cheers people, who crowded thick about him

Taken altogether the procession was grand success, and when it had returned palace the citizens crowded great Throne Room the Wizard perform his tricks

The first thing the little humbug did was tiny white piglet from underneath his hat and pretend to pull it apart, making two This act he repeated until all nine tiny piglets were visible, were so glad out pocket ran around in very lively manner The pretty little creatures novelty anywhere, so the people were as amazed and delighted at their appearance as even the Wizard desired When he had made them all disappear again Ozma declared she was sorry they were gone, for she wanted to pet and play with So the Wizard pretended piglets hair Princess (while really he slyly took it inside pocket) and Ozma smiled joyously creature nestled in her arms, and she promised an emerald collar made for its fat neck and the little squealer always at hand to amuse her

Afterward noticed Wizard always performed his famous trick with eight piglets, but it seemed the people just there nine

little room back Throne Room the Wizard had found lot of things he had left behind him when he went away balloon, for no one had occupied the apartment absence enough material there to enable him several new tricks which he had learned from jugglers circus, and he had passed part night in getting them ready So he followed the trick nine tiny piglets with wonderful feats that greatly delighted his audience people seem to care bit whether the little man was humbug Wizard or not, as he succeeded in amusing them They applauded all his tricks and end performance begged him earnestly not away again and leave them

" case," said the little man, gravely, " cancel all engagements crowned heads of Europe and America and devote myself people of Oz, for I love you all that deny you nothing "

people dismissed promise our friends joined Princess Ozma at an elaborate luncheon palace, where even the Tiger Lion were sumptuously fed and Jim the Cab-horse ate his oatmeal out of golden bowl with seven rows of rubies, sapphires and diamonds set around the rim of it

afternoon they all went to great field outside the city gates where the games were held beautiful canopy for Ozma and her guests to sit under and watch the people run races and jump and wrestle the folks of Oz did their best distinguished company watching them, and finally Zeb offered to wrestle with little Munchkin who seemed the champion In appearance twice as old as Zeb, for he had long pointed whiskers and wore peaked hat with little bells all around the brim of it, which tinkled gaily as he moved But although the Munchkin was hardly tall enough to Zeb's shoulder so strong and clever that he laid the boy three times back with apparent ease

Zeb was greatly astonished at his defeat, and pretty Princess joined her people in laughing at him he proposed boxing-match Munchkin, little Ozite readily agreed But the first time that Zeb managed him sharp box ears the Munchkin sat down ground and cried until the tears ran down his whiskers, because he hurt This made Zeb laugh, in turn, boy felt comforted that Ozma laughed as merrily at her weeping subject as she had at him

Just then the Scarecrow proposed race Sawhorse Cab-horse; and although all the others were delighted suggestion the Sawhorse drew back, saying:

"Such race fair "

" not," added Jim, with touch of scorn; "those little wooden legs of yours half as long as my own "

"It isn't that," said the Sawhorse, modestly; "but I never tire, and "