" you had met us," whinnied High Boy, who had taken great fancy Queen "Did to walk or swim, Ma'am ? "

"A basket bird carried me nearly all the way," explained Orin "The rest distance I walked and when I reached the shores of Orizon an old fisherman agreed to row me across

"He shall be well rewarded ! " puffed Cheeriobed "Did the fellow know nothing of Quiberon ? "

"I guess not," sighed the Queen, "neither did I, matter, but here , and now tell me how you, dear Ozma, and all brave people happened here just to save me ? "

" Akbad," the King informed her joyfully "Our brave Soothsayer picked the golden pear, carried Philador Emerald City and begged Ozma to our assistance Where fellow anyway ? Akbad ! Akbad ! Fetch the Soothsayer, some of you ! "

"Akbad," murmured Ozma half aloud and looking from one other in amazement "Why, I never heard of Akbad ! "

"Akbad didn't carry me capital ! " cried Philador, jumping up indignantly "The Grand Mogul took me good witch's hut rest way I went with Herby and Trot and Benny and High Boy "

Cheeriobed was so stunned strange news he sank back throne in perfect as-tonishment and, at Orin's earnest solicitation, Phil and Trot told their stories

"Akbad shall be punished well ," promised Cheeriobed shocked dreadful dangers Philador and Trot had encountered, deceitfulness trusted Soothsayer While dozen guards ran to fetch Akbad, the Queen put her hand gently on Cheeriobed's arm

"Remember that he snatched me very jaws of Quiberon," she reminded him softly "Perhaps explain " But the King kept muttering under his breath and Guards returned, dragging Akbad wings, his feelings overcame him and rushing forward he began to shake the old Islander violently to and fro

"Let Akbad speak, if he has anything , suggested Ozma, as Cheeriobed paused for breath At once Akbad flung himself knees and begged the good King's forgiveness

"These heavy wings are punishment enough," groaned the Soothsayer

"Stolen wings are never of use thief," said Ozma, leaning forward gravely, "but since saved Queen Orin and suffered little yourself, Cheeriobed will pardon you

As Trot Queen added their pleas to Ozma's, the King finally consented to pardon Akbad, dismissing him court and giving him small cottage end island to live in

"And must I wear these wings forever ? " asked Akbad, turning sorrowfully toward the door

"I believe remove them," whispered the Wizard, and after short conference the two sovereigns agreed to let the Wizard remove the golden wings It took about ten minutes and ten powders to accomplish this feat, but finally crumpled into gold dust, Akbad sprang joyfully court room, so glad rid heavy pinions that even mind his banishment

"There ! " sighed Ozma, "that settles everything and now all be happy again

" 't be happy till I eat," moaned High Boy in weak voice, the effects of Herby's pills hav-ing worn off " no food castle ? " Laughing heartily, Cheeriobed sent Toddledy to waken the cook and, though long past midnight, the whole company presently sat down to such feast as held Kingdom for many long year High Boy had his yummy jummy, and though the Patch Work Girl, Benny, the Tin Woodman Scarecrow constructed to partake of refreshments, they enjoyed the party quite others

And when at last the feast was over, and Cheeriobed led his visitors to splendid apartments, these four celebrities sat talking throne room rest night, spending the hours most pleasantly while High Boy snored comfortably on great bearskin rug door

And not till the silver bells castle tower tolled ten did anyone above stairs stir from his silken couch

CHAPTER 19

Another Wishing Pill

AFTER merry breakfast gardens, Cheeriobed conducted the royal party over the entire Sapphire City High Boy carried Ozma, Scraps, Trot, Betsy and Dorothy, all agreed that, next capital, the Sapphire City fairest city in Oz The sun shone with dazzling brightness glittering spires, the jeweled sands and rocks had never sparkled more beautifully Even the waters of Orizon seemed bluer Queen's return Everywhere the cheers and shouts delighted Islanders greeted the visitors and lovely Orin

" just had our sea horses," mused Cheeriobed, putting one arm around the Queen other around Philador, "everything as before " The old mer-man who stood close King looked so unhappy remark that Ozma bade High Boy stop, and jumping down hurried over Wizard After whispered conference which nobody seemed to notice, Ozma little man tip-toed off And when next Cheeriobed looked out over the lake, shout of delight and pleasure In toward the shore, with flying manes and flashing tails, raced the whole herd of white sea horses, lively and lovely ever were

" Joe King this," whinnied High Boy, wading out to meet them and neighing greeting high horse tongue Orpah was already water, caressing first one and then another former pets, while the little Prince jumped in with all his clothes, to mount his own prancing sea charger

"How did it ? " begged Cheeriobed, turning back to Ozma, who stood smiling at him from her perch on an opal rock

" Wizard," replied the little fairy mysteriously, but all crowded curiously around the Wizard he merely shook his head and muttered that restoring herd of sea horses from pile of bones was quite easy- just knew how And answer they were forced satisfied

Next the Wizard, with another magic powders, moved the great figure of Quiberon mouth cave, where it stands day for all

"The fire nostrils eaten away the sides passage-way and enabled him to squeeze out," explained the Wizard, who puzzling over this particular problem his arrival cleared up the last mysteries, Ozma and her courtiers now made ready to depart Philador was so loath goodbye to Trot that Ozma persuaded the King, the Queen little Prince to return Emerald City So again magic ring was formed, with High Boy center, and again the Wizard's wishing pills transported them over hills and valleys most splendid castle in Oz

CHAPTER 20

Rulers East and North

noon time dropped down lightly gardens of Ozma's castle "Let's dance" proposed Benny, blinking across the vistas of velvet lawns, flowering arches and sparkling fountains

"Why, Benny ! " exclaimed Trot, " really feel like dancing ? "

"Don't you ? " questioned the stone man, smiling down little girl he had come through exciting adventures Trot nodded delightedly and, royal band grouped castle steps to welcome them home broke into lively tune, the whole company, still ring they had formed in Cheeriobed's garden, danced 'round and 'round and 'round, High Boy cavorting hilariously center

Benny danced tirelessly on for hours, but Cheeriobed and Sir Hokus were soon out of breath So Ozma clapped her hands and, bidding them form in long line, placed herself head and marched merrily palace There, drawn meet them were all the celebrities they already met Jack Pumpkin Head, stiffly extending his arms, Tik Tok, clicking off short sentences of pleasure, the Soldier Green Whiskers, bowing almost ground, the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy's small dog, Toto, not to mention the famous Saw Horse and more begin to name them all Philador kept close to Trot, for to hear about Scarecrow, taking Benny medicine man under his wing, saw were everywhere introduced Ozma herself, King Ozure Isles on one arm Queen other, led the way grand banquet hall The Hungry Tiger, peering in castle kitchen, where he anxiously awaiting their return, sprang out joyously entered

"This party's been ready since last night," he roared accusingly "Where been ? " While High Boy dropped down few pegs to explain, the great company seated itself long green banquet table Soon dishes and silver began to clink merrily, footmen to rush to and fro with delicious trays of goodies, while the Oz orchestra struck up that good old favorite, "Oz and Ozma, forever " Benny, great satisfaction, sat next Wizard of Oz, and between courses the little man explained that native of Omaha and had first come to Oz in circus balloon The inhabitants had immediately taken him for wizard, so he had decided to stay and be wizard For many years he had ruled over Oz, practicing the trick magic he had learned circus and superintending the building Emerald City Later he returned to America and Ozma, the rightful ruler fairy kingdom was disenchanted by Glinda and placed throne Wizard returned to Oz, the little fairy made him Royal Wizard realm and by hard study and constant practice he had become the most famous magician in any country world

"So change me to real man ? " queried Benny, looking admiringly famous wonder-worker

"Certainly," replied the Wizard carelessly, tossing off glass of emeralade "Whenever you wish ! "

"Think it over carefully," cautioned the Scarecrow, who sat other side " not better big and hard than small and weak, like most natural beings ? You're very famous person ,"' he finished, flatteringly, "but as meat man quite like everybody else once real person, he confided solemnly, "and care at all Take my advice and stay , old boulder ! "

"Please do ! " begged Trot from her place across the table "You're so strong and handsome and dance as anyone You didn't tread on my toe even once," declared the little girl stoutly Benny blushed at Trot's words, had such thing been possible As , he smiled so happily that look like public benefactor at all The stone frown that was carved on Benny's forehead had gradually melted away, expression was now so pleasant and jolly, worthy fathers of Boston recognized their former citizen

"It shall be as Trot wishes," and Benny, with fond glance across the table, and amid the cheers and claps celebrities, he agreed to stay as