Dorothy thanked her good friend and kissed the lovely Ruler gratefully Then she ran the joyful news to her uncle and aunt

Next morning, after breakfast, everything was found ready for their departure

The escort included Omby Amby, the Captain General of Ozma's army, which consisted merely of twenty-seven officers besides the Captain General Once Omby Amby private soldier--the only private army--but never any fighting Ozma saw no need of private, so she made Omby Amby the highest officer all very tall and slim and wore gay uniform and fierce mustache Yet the mustache only fierce thing about Omby Amby, whose nature was as gentle of child

The wonderful Wizard had asked to join the party, and came his friend the Shaggy Man, who was shaggy but not ragged, being dressed in fine silks with satin shags and bobtails The Shaggy Man had shaggy whiskers and hair, but sweet disposition and soft, pleasant voice

an open wagon, with three seats passengers, wagon was drawn famous wooden Sawhorse which had once been brought to life by Ozma of magic powder The Sawhorse wore wooden shoes his wooden legs from wearing away, and strong and swift curious creature was Ozma's own favorite steed, and very popular with all the people Emerald City, Dorothy knew that she highly favored by being permitted to use the Sawhorse on her journey

front seat wagon sat Dorothy Wizard Uncle Henry and Aunt Em sat next seat Shaggy Man and Omby Amby third seat Toto was party, curled up at Dorothy's feet, and just were about to start, Billina came fluttering along the path and begged taken Dorothy readily agreed, so the Yellow Hen flew up and perched herself dashboard She wore her pearl necklace and three bracelets upon each leg, in honor occasion

Dorothy kissed Ozma good-bye, and all the people standing around waved their handkerchiefs, band in an upper balcony struck up military march Then the Wizard clucked Sawhorse and said: "Gid-dap ! " wooden animal pranced away and drew behind him the big red wagon and all the passengers, without any effort at all servant threw open gate palace enclosure, that pass out; and so, with music and shouts following them, the journey was begun

"It's almost like circus," said Aunt Em, proudly " 't help feelin' high an' mighty kind of turn-out "

Indeed, passed down the street, all the people cheered them lustily, Shaggy Man Wizard Captain General all took off their hats and bowed politely in acknowledgment

came great wall Emerald City, the gates were opened Guardian who always tended them Over the gateway hung dull-colored metal magnet shaped like horse-shoe, placed against shield of polished gold

"That," said the Shaggy Man, impressively, " wonderful Love Magnet I brought it Emerald City myself, and all who pass beneath this gateway are both loving and beloved "

"It's fine thing," declared Aunt Em, admiringly " 'd had it in Kansas I guess the man who held mortgage farm wouldn't have turned us out "

"Then I'm glad we didn't have it," returned Uncle Henry "I like Oz better than Kansas, even; an' this little wood Sawhorse beats all the critters I ever saw He don't have curried, or fed, or watered, an' he's strong as an ox Can he talk, Dorothy ? "

"Yes, Uncle," replied the child "But the Sawhorse never says much me once that 't talk and think same time, so he prefers "

" very sensible," declared the Wizard, nodding approvingly " do we go, Dorothy ? "

"Straight ahead Quadling Country," she answered "I've got letter of interduction to Miss Cuttenclip "

"Oh ! " exclaimed the Wizard, much interested "Are we going there ? Then I'm glad , for I've always wanted to meet the Cuttenclips "

" they ? " inquired Aunt Em

"Wait till we get there," replied Dorothy, with laugh; "then you'll see I've never seen the Cuttenclips, , so 't 'zactly 'splain 'em "

Once free Emerald City the Sawhorse dashed away at tremendous speed Indeed, he went so fast that Aunt Em had hard work to catch her breath, and Uncle Henry held fast seat red wagon

"Gently--gently, my boy ! " called the Wizard, and the Sawhorse slackened his speed

"What's wrong ? " asked the animal, slightly turning his wooden head to look party with one eye, knot of wood

"Why, to admire the scenery, that's all," answered the Wizard

"Some of your passengers," added the Shaggy Man, "have never been Emerald City before, country is all new "

" go too fast you'll spoil all the fun," said Dorothy "There's no hurry "

" ; all the same ," observed the Sawhorse; and he went at more moderate pace

Uncle Henry was astonished

"How can wooden thing be so intelligent ? " he asked

"Why, him some sawdust brains the last time I fitted his head with new ears," explained the Wizard "The sawdust from hard knots, and now the Sawhorse is able out any knotty problem he meets with "

" ," said Uncle Henry

"I don't," remarked Aunt Em; but no one paid any attention statement

Before long they came to stately building that stood upon green plain with handsome shade trees grouped here and there

"What ? " asked Uncle Henry

"That," replied the Wizard, " Royal Athletic College of Oz, directed by Professor H M Wogglebug, T E "

"Let's stop and make call," suggested Dorothy

So the Sawhorse drew up in front great building were met door learned Wogglebug himself fully as tall Wizard, and was dressed in red and white checked vest and blue swallow-tailed coat, and had yellow knee breeches and purple silk stockings upon his slender legs tall hat was jauntily set upon his head and he wore spectacles over his big bright eyes

"Welcome, Dorothy," said the Wogglebug; "and welcome to all your friends indeed pleased to receive you great Temple of Learning "

" an Athletic College," said the Shaggy Man

" , my ," answered the Wogglebug, proudly "Here it we teach the youth great land scientific College Athletics--in all their purity "

"Don't you teach them anything else ? " asked Dorothy "Don't they get any reading, writing and 'rithmetic ? "

"Oh, yes; They get all those, and more," returned the Professor "But such things occupy little time Please follow me show you how my scholars are usually occupied class hour and all busy "

They followed him to big field back college building, where several hundred young Ozites were at their classes In one place they played football, in another baseball Some played tennis, some golf; some were swimming in big pool Upon river which wound grounds several crews in racing boats were rowing with great enthusiasm Other groups of students played basketball and cricket, while in one place ring was roped in to permit boxing and wrestling energetic youths All the collegians seemed busy and much laughter and shouting

"This college," said Professor Wogglebug, complacently, "is great success Its educational value is undisputed, and turning out many great and valuable citizens every year "

"But when do they study ? " asked Dorothy

"Study ? " said the Wogglebug, looking perplexed question

"Yes; when do they get their 'rithmetic, and jogerfy, and such things ? "

"Oh, they take doses every night and morning," reply

"What by doses ? " Dorothy inquired, wonderingly

"Why, we use the newly invented School Pills, made by your friend the Wizard These pills found very effective, save lot Please step show you our Laboratory of Learning "

He led them to room building where many large bottles were standing in rows upon shelves

"These are the Algebra Pills," said the Professor, taking down bottles "One at night, on retiring, is equal to four hours of study Here are the Geography Pills--one at night and one morning next bottle are the Latin Pills--one three times day Then the Grammar Pills--one before each meal-- Spelling Pills, which are taken whenever needed "

"Your scholars lot of pills," remarked Dorothy, thoughtfully "How do they take 'em, in applesauce ? "