"A boat ! " panted the little girl, throwing her apron over her head, "a boat is coming 'round Opal Point "

" Ozma ! " exclaimed His Majesty, thumping the table with both fists "Where are my spectacles, hand me my crown, spread the red rug and call out the Guard of Honor ! "

Without waiting for any commands carried out, Cheeriobed plunged palace gardens and down shore of Lake Orizon Orpah reached the beach almost His Majesty, followed closely by Toddledy and all the King's Retainers little murmur of disappointment went up crowd stared direction indicated by Jewlia boat was rounding the point, but only fisherman's dory Opposite the man oars sat closely wrapped figure and, boat came nearer, this figure arose, cast off the cloak and, standing erect, extended both arms

"Why ! " panted Jewlia, beginning to jump up and down, "it's the Queen-Queen Orin, herself ! "

"The Queen ! Long live the Queen ! " roared the Ozure Islanders, wading out water in their surprise and excitement Standing up shabby row-boat, as lovely and radiant as day Mombi had stolen her away, Queen Ozure Isles Her jeweled crown glittered and flashed star light, her long fair hair tumbled in bright shower of ringlets to her gold girdled waist Her soft blue dress, studded with sapphires and pearls, floated out like filmy blue cloud evening wind Never had she appeared so young and beautiful Head over tail, Orpah dove lake and began swimming out boat and only the strong arms Guardsmen kept Cheeriobed from diving after him

"Orin ! Orin ! " cried the King in tremulous voice, "where been ? " Almost ready to jump boat herself, the Queen raised her voice to answer, when long tongue of flame shot across the sky and with thunderous roar, Quiberon rushed around the point and hurled himself tiny boat So sudden and unexpected appearance monster, the Ozure Islanders fell back in dismay

"Save her ! Save her ! " groaned the King, struggling to free himself Guards, but no one made move Akbad, stiff with fright and terror, saw the great body of Quiberon poised over the small craft, and moment spirit and courage that had distinguished him youth returned With hoarse scream, the Soothsayer hurled himself air and, flying straight for Quiberon, snatched the Queen very jaws of death The magic wings, which had refused to carry him beyond the islands, , because he now had no thought of himself, obeyed his command Circling high over the head enraged sea monster, Akbad headed sapphire castle With shouts and cheers the Ozure Islanders followed and, dashing castle Soothsayer, barred the doors and slammed down the windows Before either the King or Queen had time to thank Akbad, the gigantic body of Quiberon crashed garden and hurled itself over the castle wall

" lost ! " wailed the King, castle began to rock and tremble repeated blows furious monster "Nothing can save us now

Cowering throne room, the King little band of followers waited blow crush the castle and destroy them utterly But, strangely enough, the noise and confusion and thuds wall grew less and finally stopped altogether "He's backing away for last try," groaned Toddledy, burying his head hands

"Never mind," sighed the Queen, throwing her arms 'round Cheeriobed's neck " perish together " Queen's words tremendous whack roof blue sapphire skylight splintered to bits and great head was thrust opening

CHAPTER 17

Royal Welcome

AS HIGH BOY, neighing joyously, trotted down the main street Emerald City, windows were thrown up and doors flung open inhabitants rushed out with torches who was passing And saw Trot Scarecrow, mounted on so strange steed, they promptly fell in, High Boy reached the castle regular procession had formed behind them Standing up and balancing himself by holding on to Benny, the Scarecrow introduced the little Prince Ozure Isles, the medicine man, the live statue and lastly High Boy himself Then High Boy, great delight multitude, stretched up and then down, switched his umbrella tail and bowed so often and vigorously that Trot others had all do their places The wild cheers and shouts at High Boy's performance brought the occupants castle running windows and doors the matter

"Why, Trot ! " cried Dorothy, dashing down the golden steps "We've been hunting you all day and were just going to look magic picture where you were

"Well, here , my dear," laughed the Scarecrow, "and we bring strange news and four strangers castle Hello Hokus ! Hello, Jack ! Hi there Tik Tok ! Howdy, Scraps ! "

Waving celebrities who crowded the open doorway, the Scarecrow urged High Boy to enter Mounting the steps carefully and being careful not to tread upon any toes, High Boy stepped proudly into Ozma's royal residence, Dorothy dancing ahead to announce them little fairy Betsy, Ozma, Nick Chopper and Jellia Jamb, small maid-in-waiting, were playing pa'cheesi, but hastily pushed back the board, as High Boy came cantering in

"Why here's the whole pack," cried the Tin Woodman, jumping up and waving the tin funnel he used for hat-"the pack horse, too ! " finished Nick, eyeing the King's steed in some surprise

"Pack horse ! " snorted High Boy, stopping short and rolling his red eyes temperishly "I'm high horse, you odd looking junkman, and I'll have I stand very high in my own country " his claim, High Boy clicked his telescope legs up so fast that Trot bumped her head ceiling Scarecrow dove at once carpet

"Down ! Down ! " whispered Philador reprovingly "And don't forget presence of royalty " Lowering himself with one great jerk, High Boy shortened his front legs and made deep bow little ruler of Oz, and Trot others lost no time tumbling off

"The Prince Ozure Isles, Your Maj'sty ! " puffed Trot, as Ozma gave High Boy bewildered smile "The Medicine Man of Oz and my friend Benny, from Boston "

"Is he alive ? " whispered Betsy, putting out her hand to touch the stone man, who was bending stiffly throne

"Alive, but not real person," sighed Benny, fixing his stone eyes mournfully on Betsy Bobbin

"He's much better than real person," declared the Scarecrow, rushing impetuously forward "Just wait till you hear how he jumped mouth of monster "

"Tell us ! Tell us ! " begged Betsy, clasping her hands

"Hast had an adventure, maiden ? " Pushing his way throne, Sir Hokus, the Good Knight of Oz, took Trot eagerly arm

"Dozens and dozens ! " panted Trot, sinking down carpeted steps leading throne " I hardly know where "

" begin with me ? " suggested Herby, throwing out his chest importantly High Boy groaned with impatience contents of Herby's chest flew room, Wizard of Oz, who stood just behind Ozma, clapped on an extra pair of spectacles and hurried forward better view medicine man

While Trot Scarecrow helped Herby pick up his pill boxes, Ozma, noticing the worried expression of Prince Philador, bade him come nearer and tell troubling him Philador, dropping on one knee throne, thought he had never seen gentler little fairy Queen of all Oz Feeling bit shy presence of so great and grand company he arose and told the whole story of Mombi's enchantments and Quiberon's cruelty and flight blue gull hut of Tattypoo

Ozma and her advisers only astonished little Prince's troubles, but alarmed and distressed unexplainable disappearance good witch

" Philador tells us the rest story, look for Tattypoo magic picture" murmured Ozma, "and also Queen Ozure Isles "

"I'd like chance monster," blustered Sir Hokus, who was famous dragon slayer "and myself and sword are at your service, Princeling ! "

Philador smiled gratefully Good Knight of Oz and, helped out by Trot Scarecrow, told how he had released the medicine man bottle- visit King Uplanders-his meeting with High Boy-and their adventures with Trot and her friends in Shutter Town Then Trot told her story, about Benny strange coming to life, his drop to Oz and their frightful experiences in Cave City During the telling of both stories, the Wizard of Oz made hurried notes little black book and, as Trot finished, he bounced out seat like rubber ball

"Your Highness," began the Wizard, looking over his specs little fairy ruler, " jotted down the problems solved mysteries accounted for First, find the Queen Ozure Isles and restore her to her subjects Secondly, undo of Mombi's mischief ; destroy Quiberon, punish the bird-man who carried Trot monster's cave and restore the medicine man to himself "

Herby shook his head violently "I prefer to remain as ," declared Herby stoutly " entirely satisfied with my medicine chest "

Ozma smiled at Herby's earnestness Wizard drew his pencil entry

" then find Tattypoo," continued the little man seriously, "and change Benny to real person, as reward services to Philador and Trot "

"How about little yummy jummy ? " wheezed High Boy, who was sitting haunches with both ears cocked forward

"Why you're fellow after my own heart," purred the Hungry Tiger, crawling out from under huge green sofa "This good beast is hungry Let's all have something to eat," he proposed, licking his chops and waving his tail gently from side to side

" tell the royal cook feast at once Nodding laughingly Hungry Tiger, the little sovereign rose and, stepping down throne, took Philador's arm "Come ! " said Ozma " look magic picture whether Quiberon is still caught cavern and where Mombi has hidden your royal mother "