"I don't know, I'm sure," replied the Sawhorse

" what trying out," remarked the Scarecrow "The object of race is win it--or what my excellent brains think "

"Once, when young," said Jim, " race horse, and defeated all who dared run against me born in Kentucky, , where all the best and most aristocratic horses come from "

"But you're old, now, Jim," suggested Zeb

"Old ! Why, like colt today," replied Jim "I only wish real horse here to race with I'd show the people fine sight, tell you "

"Then race Sawhorse ? " enquired the Scarecrow

"He's afraid," said Jim

"Oh, no," answered the Sawhorse "I merely said it wasn't fair But friend the Real Horse is willing to undertake the race quite ready "

So they unharnessed Jim and took the saddle off the Sawhorse, two queerly matched animals were stood side by side start

"When 'Go ! '" Zeb called , " dig out and race until you reach those three trees over yonder Then circle 'round them and come back again The first one that passes the place where the Princess sits shall be named the winner ready ? "

"I suppose I ought the wooden dummy good start of me," growled Jim

"Never mind that," said the Sawhorse "I'll best "

"Go ! " cried Zeb; and word the two horses leaped forward race was begun

Jim's big hoofs pounded away at great rate, and although look very graceful he ran in way credit Kentucky breeding But the Sawhorse was swifter wind Its wooden legs moved so fast that their twinkling could scarcely be seen, and although smaller cab-horse it covered the ground much faster had reached the trees the Sawhorse was far ahead, wooden animal returned starting place as was being lustily cheered Ozites before Jim came panting canopy where the Princess and her friends were seated

sorry to record the fact that Jim was ashamed defeat but for moment lost control temper As he looked comical face Sawhorse he imagined creature was laughing at him; so in fit of unreasonable anger he turned around and made vicious kick that sent his rival tumbling head over heels ground, and broke off one legs and its left ear

An instant later the Tiger crouched and launched its huge body air swift and resistless as ball from cannon The beast struck Jim full shoulder and sent the astonished cab-horse rolling over and over, amid shouts of delight spectators, who horrified ungracious act he guilty of

When Jim came to himself and sat upon his haunches the Cowardly Lion crouched on one side of him Hungry Tiger other, and their eyes were glowing like balls of fire

"I beg your pardon, I'm sure," said Jim, meekly " wrong to kick the Sawhorse, and sorry I became angry at him He has won the race, and won it fairly; but what can horse of flesh do against tireless beast of wood ? "

Hearing this apology the Tiger Lion stopped lashing their tails and retreated with dignified steps side Princess

"No one must injure friends presence," growled the Lion; and Zeb ran to Jim and whispered that unless he controlled his temper probably be torn to pieces

Then the Tin Woodman cut straight and strong limb from tree gleaming axe and made new leg and new ear Sawhorse; and securely fastened in place Princess Ozma took the coronet from her own head and placed it upon that winner race Said she:

"My friend, I reward you for your swiftness by proclaiming you Prince of Horses, whether of wood or of flesh; and hereafter all other horses-- Land of Oz, -- considered imitations, and you the real Champion of your race "

more applause , and then Ozma had the jewelled saddle replaced Sawhorse and herself rode the victor back city head grand procession

"I fairy," grumbled Jim, as he slowly drew the buggy home; "for just an ordinary horse in fairy country of no account whatever It's no place , Zeb "

"It's lucky we got here, though," said the boy; and Jim thought dark cave, and agreed

18 The Trial of Eureka the Kitten

of festivity and merry-making followed, for such old friends often meet and much told and talked over , and many amusements enjoyed delightful country

Ozma was happy Dorothy beside her, for girls of her own age proper Princess to associate were very few, and often the youthful Ruler of Oz was lonely for lack of companionship

It third morning after Dorothy's arrival, and she was sitting with Ozma and their friends in reception room, talking over old times, Princess said to her maid:

"Please go to my boudoir, Jellia, and get the white piglet I left dressing-table to play with it "

Jellia at once departed errand, and she was gone had almost forgotten her mission green robed maiden returned with troubled face

"The piglet there, your Highness," said she

"Not there ! " exclaimed Ozma " sure ? "

" hunted in every part room," the maid replied

"Was not the door closed ? " asked the Princess

"Yes, your Highness; ; for when I opened it Dorothy's white kitten crept out and ran up the stairs "

Hearing this, Dorothy Wizard exchanged startled glances, for they remembered how often Eureka had longed to eat piglet The little girl jumped up at once

"Come, Ozma," she said, anxiously; " go ourselves to search piglet "

So the two went dressing-room Princess and searched carefully in every corner and vases and baskets and ornaments that stood pretty boudoir But not trace could they find tiny creature they sought

Dorothy was nearly weeping, , while Ozma was angry and indignant returned others the Princess said:

" little doubt that my pretty piglet eaten horrid kitten, and is true the offender punished "

"I don't b'lieve Eureka would do such dreadful thing ! " cried Dorothy, much distressed "Go and get my kitten, please, Jellia, and we'll hear what she has "

The green maiden hastened away, but presently returned and said:

"The kitten will not come She threatened to scratch my eyes out if I touched her "

"Where is she ? " asked Dorothy

"Under the bed in your own room," reply

So Dorothy ran to her room and found the kitten under the bed

"Come here, Eureka ! " she said

"I won't," answered the kitten, in surly voice

"Oh, Eureka ! Why so bad ? "

The kitten reply

" don't come , right away," continued Dorothy, getting provoked, "I'll take my Magic Belt and wish you Country Gurgles "

"Why me ? " asked Eureka, disturbed threat

" go to Princess Ozma She wants "

"All right," returned the kitten, creeping out "I'm not afraid of Ozma--or anyone else "

Dorothy carried her in her arms back to where the others sat in grieved and thoughtful silence

"Tell me, Eureka," said the Princess, gently: "did you eat my pretty piglet ? "

"I won't answer such foolish question," asserted Eureka, with snarl

"Oh, yes , dear," Dorothy declared "The piglet is gone, and you ran room when Jellia opened the door So, innocent, Eureka, tell the Princess how you came in her room, and what has become piglet "

"Who accuses me ? " asked the kitten, defiantly

"No one," answered Ozma "Your actions alone accuse you The fact I left my little pet in my dressing-room lying asleep table; and stolen in without my knowing it When next the door was opened you ran out and hid yourself-- piglet was gone "

"That's none business," growled the kitten

"Don't be impudent, Eureka," admonished Dorothy

" you impudent," said Eureka, "for accusing me crime can't prove it except by guessing "

Ozma was now greatly incensed kitten's conduct She summoned her Captain-General, and long, lean officer appeared she said:

"Carry this cat away to prison, and keep her in safe confinement until tried by law crime of murder "

So the Captain-General took Eureka arms now weeping Dorothy and kitten's snarls and scratches carried it away to prison

"What shall now ? " asked the Scarecrow, with sigh, for such crime had cast gloom over all the company