The alligator turned to look over its shoulder, and at once Guph ran bridge and leaped over the sentinel's back before it could turn back again The scarlet monster made snap Nome's left foot, but missed it by fully an inch

"Ah ha ! " laughed the General, who was now mountain path "I fooled you "

"So ; and perhaps you fooled yourself," retorted the alligator "Go up the mountain, dare, and find out what the First and Foremost will do ! "

" ," declared Guph, boldly; and on he went up the path

At first the scene was wild enough, but gradually it grew more and more awful in appearance All the rocks had the shapes of frightful beings and even the tree trunks were gnarled and twisted like serpents

Suddenly there appeared Nome man head of an owl His body was hairy like that of an ape, only clothing was scarlet scarf twisted around his waist He bore huge club hand round owl eyes blinked fiercely intruder

" you doing here ? " he demanded, threatening Guph club

"I've come the First and Foremost Phanfasm of Phantastico," replied the General, who like the way this creature looked at him, but still was not afraid

"Ah; you shall see him ! " the man said, with sneering laugh "The First and Foremost shall decide best way to punish you "

" punish me," returned Guph, calmly, "for come here him people rare favor Lead on, fellow, and take me directly to your master "

The owl-man raised his club with threatening gesture

" try to escape," , "beware--"

But here the General interrupted him

"Spare your threats," said he, "and be impertinent, or you severely punished Lead on, and keep silent ! "

This Guph was really clever rascal, and it seems pity so bad, for in good cause accomplished much He realized that he had put himself into dangerous position by coming dreadful mountain, but he also knew that if he showed fear lost So he adopted bold manner as his best defense The wisdom plan was soon evident, Phanfasm owl's head turned and led the way up the mountain

very top was level plain were heaps of rock that at first glance seemed solid But on looking closer Guph discovered rock heaps were dwellings, for each had an opening

Not person was seen outside the rock huts All was silent

The owl-man led the way groups of dwellings to one standing center It seemed no better and no worse than any others Outside the entrance rock heap the guide gave low wail that sounded like "Lee-ow-ah ! "

Suddenly there bounded opening another hairy man wore the head of bear hand he bore brass hoop He glared stranger in evident surprise

"Why captured this foolish wanderer and brought him here ? " he demanded, addressing the owl-man

" capture him," answer "He passed the scarlet alligator and came here own free will and accord "

The First and Foremost looked General

" tired of life, then ? " he asked

"No indeed," answered Guph " Nome, Chief General of King Roquat the Red's great army of Nomes I come of long-lived race, and say that I expect to live yet Sit down, you Phanfasms-- find seat wild haunt--and listen to what "

With all his knowledge and bravery General Guph know steady glare bear eyes was reading his inmost thoughts as surely as put into words know despised rock heaps Phanfasms were merely deceptions own eyes, nor could he guess that standing midst of splendid and luxurious cities ever built by magic power All that was barren waste of rock heaps, hairy man with an owl's head and another with bear's head The sorcery Phanfasms permitted him no more

Suddenly the First and Foremost swung his brass hoop and caught Guph around the neck with it The next instant, General could think what had happened to him, dragged inside the rock hut Here, his eyes still blinded to realities, he perceived only dim light, the hut seemed as rough and rude inside as outside Yet he had strange feeling that many bright eyes were fastened upon him he stood in vast and extensive hall

The First and Foremost now laughed grimly and released his prisoner

" anything interesting," he remarked, "speak out ,before I strangle you "

So Guph spoke out He tried not any attention to strange rustling sound that he heard, as of an unseen multitude drawing near to listen words His eyes only the fierce bear-man, and to him he addressed his speech First plan to conquer the Land of Oz and plunder the country riches and enslave its people, who, being fairies, killed After relating all this, and telling tunnel the Nome King was building, he had come to First and Foremost to join the Nomes, band of terrible warriors, and help them to defeat the Oz people

The General spoke very earnestly and impressively, but when he had finished the bear-man began to laugh much amused, laughter seemed echoed by chorus of merriment from an unseen multitude Then, first time, Guph began trifle worried

"Who else has promised to ? " finally asked the First and Foremost

"The Whimsies," replied the General

Again the bear-headed Phanfasm laughed

"Any others ? " he inquired

"Only the Growleywogs," said Guph

This answer set the First and Foremost laughing anew

"What share spoils am I ? " next question

"Anything you like, except King Roquat's Magic Belt," replied Guph

the Phanfasm set up roar of laughter, which had its echo unseen chorus, bear-man seemed so amused that he actually rolled ground and shouted with merriment

"Oh, these blind and foolish Nomes ! " "How big they seem to themselves and how small they really are ! "

Suddenly he arose and seized Guph's neck with one hairy paw, dragging him hut open

Here curious wailing cry, and, in answer, from all the rocky huts mountain-top came flocking horde of Phanfasms, all with hairy bodies, but wearing heads of various animals, birds and reptiles All were ferocious and repulsive-looking deceived eyes Nome, and Guph repress shudder of disgust as he looked upon them

The First and Foremost slowly raised his arms, and in twinkling his hairy skin fell and he appeared astonished Nome as beautiful woman, clothed in flowing gown of pink gauze In her dark hair flowers were entwined, and her face was noble and calm

same instant the entire band of Phanfasms was transformed into pack of howling wolves, running here and there snarled and showed their ugly yellow fangs

The woman now raised her arms, even man-bear had done, and in twinkling the wolves became crawling lizards, while she herself changed into huge butterfly

Guph had only time to cry out in fear and take step backward to avoid the lizards when another transformation occurred, and all returned instantly forms they had originally worn

Then the First and Foremost, who had resumed his hairy body and bear head, turned Nome and asked

" still demand our assistance ? "

"More than ever," answered the General, firmly

"Then tell me: what offer the Phanfasms that not already ? " inquired the First and Foremost

Guph hesitated He really know what The Nome King's vaunted Magic Belt seemed poor thing compared astonishing magical powers people Gold, jewels and slaves secure in any quantity without especial effort that dealing with powers greatly beyond him but one argument that might influence the Phanfasms, who were creatures of evil

"Permit me your attention exquisite joy of making the happy unhappy," said he at last "Consider the pleasure of destroying innocent and harmless people "

"Ah ! answered me," cried the First and Foremost " reason alone aid you Go home, and tell your bandy-legged king that his tunnel is finished the Phanfasms and lead his legions conquest of Oz The deadly desert alone has kept us from destroying Oz , and your underground tunnel is clever thought Go home, and prepare coming ! "

Guph was permitted promise The owl-man led him back down the mountain path and ordered the scarlet alligator to crawl away and allow the Nome to cross the bridge in safety

visitor had gone brilliant and gorgeous city appeared mountain top, clearly visible eyes gaily dressed multitude of Phanfasms that lived there First and Foremost, beautifully arrayed, addressed the others words: