Dorothy awoke just light was beginning strong next morning, and not caring to sleep any later she quietly got out of bed, dressed herself, and left the tent where Aunt Em was yet peacefully slumbering

Outside she noticed Billina busily pecking around to secure bugs or other food for breakfast, but men other tent seemed awake So the little girl decided walk woods and try to discover some path or road that follow again started upon their journey

She had reached the edge forest Yellow Hen came fluttering along and asked where she was going

"Just walk, Billina; and maybe I'll find some path," said Dorothy

"Then I'll go along," decided Billina, and scarcely had she spoken when Toto ran up and joined them

Toto Yellow Hen had become quite friendly , although at first get along well together Billina rather suspicious of dogs, and Toto had had an idea every dog's duty to chase hen on sight But Dorothy had talked and scolded them for not being agreeable to one another until they grew better acquainted and became friends

I won't say they loved dearly, but they had stopped quarreling and now managed on together

The day was growing lighter and driving the black shadows forest; so Dorothy found it very pleasant walking under the trees She went some distance in one direction, but not finding path, presently turned in different direction no path here, either, although she advanced quite way forest, winding here and there trees and peering bushes in an endeavor some beaten track

" we'd better go back," suggested the Yellow Hen, after time "The people will all be up and breakfast ready "

" ," agreed Dorothy "Let's see--the camp over "

She had probably made mistake , for after they had gone far enough reached the camp they still found themselves thick woods So the little girl stopped short and looked around her, and Toto glanced up into her face bright little eyes and wagged his tail something was wrong He couldn't tell much about direction himself, because he had spent his time prowling bushes and running here and there; nor had Billina paid much attention to where they were going, being interested in picking bugs moss passed along The Yellow Hen now turned one eye up toward the little girl and asked:

" forgotten where the camp is, Dorothy ? "

"Yes," she admitted; " , Billina ? "

"I didn't try to remember," returned Billina "I'd no idea get lost, Dorothy "

"It's the thing we don't expect, Billina, that usually happens," observed the girl, thoughtfully "But it's no use standing here Let's go direction," pointing finger at random "It we'll get forest over there "

So on they went again, but the trees were closer together, vines were so tangled that often they tripped Dorothy up

Suddenly voice cried sharply:

"Halt ! "

At first, Dorothy nothing, although she looked around very carefully But Billina exclaimed:

"Well, I declare ! "

" it ? " asked the little girl: for Toto began barking at something, and following his gaze she discovered what

row of spoons had surrounded the three, and these spoons stood straight up on their handles and carried swords and muskets Their faces were outlined polished bowls looked very stern and severe

Dorothy laughed queer things

"Who ? " she asked

"We're the Spoon Brigade," said one

" service Majesty King Kleaver," said another

"And our prisoners," said third

Dorothy sat down on an old stump and looked at them, her eyes twinkling with amusement

"What would happen," she inquired, "if set my dog Brigade ? "

" die," replied spoons, sharply "One shot deadly muskets would kill him, big as "

"Don't risk it, Dorothy," advised the Yellow Hen "Remember fairy country, yet none of us three happens fairy "

Dorothy grew sober

"P'raps you're right, Billina," she answered "But how funny , captured by lot of spoons ! "

" anything very funny ," declared spoon "We're the regular military brigade kingdom "

"What kingdom ? " she asked

"Utensia," said he

"I never heard of it before," asserted Dorothy Then she added thoughtfully, "I don't believe Ozma ever heard of Utensia, either Tell me, not subjects of Ozma of Oz ? "

" never heard of her," retorted spoon " subjects of King Kleaver, and obey only his orders, which are to bring all prisoners to him as soon captured So step lively, my girl, and march , or tempted to cut off few of your toes swords "

This threat made Dorothy laugh again She believe she was in any danger; but here was new and interesting adventure, so she was willing taken to Utensia that she might see what King Kleaver's kingdom was like

16 How Dorothy Visited Utensia

There must from six to eight dozen spoons Brigade, marched away shape of hollow square, with Dorothy, Billina and Toto center square had gone very far Toto knocked over spoons by wagging his tail, and then the Captain Spoons told the little dog more careful, or punished So Toto was careful, Spoon Brigade moved along with astonishing swiftness, while Dorothy really had to walk fast up with it

By and by they left the woods and entered big clearing, in the Kingdom of Utensia

Standing all around the clearing were cookstoves, ranges and grills, of all sizes and shapes, and besides these there were several kitchen cabinets and cupboards and few kitchen tables These things were crowded with utensils of all sorts: frying pans, sauce pans, kettles, forks, knives, basting and soup spoons, nutmeg graters, sifters, colanders, meat saws, flat irons, rolling pins and things of like nature

Spoon Brigade appeared prisoners wild shout arose and utensils hopped off their stoves or their benches and ran crowding around Dorothy hen dog

"Stand back ! " cried the Captain, sternly, and he led his captives curious throng until they came before big range that stood center clearing Beside this range was butcher block lay great cleaver with keen edge It rested flat back, its legs were crossed and smoking long pipe

"Wake up, your Majesty," said the Captain "Here are prisoners "

Hearing this, King Kleaver sat up and looked at Dorothy sharply

"Gristle and fat ! " he cried "Where did this girl come from ? "

" her forest and brought her here prisoner," replied the Captain

"Why did you ? " inquired the King, puffing his pipe lazily

"To create some excitement," the Captain answered " so quiet here that all getting rusty for want of amusement part, I prefer stirring times "

"Naturally," returned the cleaver, with nod " always said, Captain, without bit of irony, that sterling officer and solid citizen, bowled and polished to degree But what expect me prisoners ? "

" to decide," declared the Captain " the King "

" ; ," muttered the cleaver, musingly " say, dull times steel and grindstone eloped and left us Command my Counselors Royal Courtiers to attend me, High Priest Judge We'll then decide what "

The Captain saluted and retired and Dorothy sat down on an overturned kettle and asked:

" anything to eat in your kingdom ? "

"Here ! Get up ! Get off from me ! " cried faint voice, at which his Majesty the cleaver said:

"Excuse me, but you're sitting on my friend the Ten-quart Kettle "

Dorothy at once arose, kettle turned right side up and looked at her reproachfully

"I'm friend King, so no one dares sit on me," said he

"I'd prefer chair, anyway," she replied

"Sit hearth," commanded the King

So Dorothy sat hearth-shelf big range, subjects of Utensia began to gather around in large and inquisitive throng Toto lay at Dorothy's feet and Billina flew range, which had no fire , and perched there as comfortably as

When all the Counselors and Courtiers had assembled--and these seemed to include most inhabitants kingdom--the King rapped block for order and said:

"Friends and Fellow Utensils ! Our worthy Commander Spoon Brigade, Captain Dipp, has captured the three prisoners and brought them here for--for--I don't know what for So I ask your advice how to act , and what fate mete out captives Judge Sifter, stand on my right your business to sift this affair bottom High Priest Colender, stand on my left that no one testifies falsely "

two officials took their places, Dorothy asked:

"Why colander the High Priest ? "