"Perhaps in no danger at all," returned Ozma, with little laugh "You mustn't imagine danger, Dorothy, should only imagine nice things, and know Skeezers and Flatheads are wicked people or my enemies Perhaps good and listen to reason "

"Dorothy is right, your Majesty," asserted the Sorceress " true nothing faraway subjects, except intend to fight one another, certain amount of magic power at their command Such folks like to submit to interference and more likely to resent your coming among them than to receive you kindly and graciously, as is your due "

" had an army ," added Dorothy, "it wouldn't be so bad; but there isn't such thing as an army in all Oz "

" one soldier," said Ozma

"Yes, the soldier green whiskers; but he's dreadful 'fraid gun and never loads it I'm sure he'd run rather than fight And one soldier, even if he were brave, couldn't do much against two hundred and one Flatheads and Skeezers "

"What then, my friends, would you suggest ? " inquired Ozma

"I advise you to send the Wizard of Oz , and let him inform them against the laws of Oz to fight, you command them to settle their differences and become friends," proposed Glinda "Let the Wizard tell them punished refuse to obey the commands Princess of all the Land of Oz "

Ozma shook her head, to indicate advice was not to her satisfaction

" refuse, what then ? " she asked " obliged to carry out my threat and punish them, and an unpleasant and difficult thing it better peacefully, without an army and armed only with my authority as Ruler, and plead to obey me Then, prove obstinate resort to other means to win their obedience "

"It's ticklish thing, anyhow you look at it," sighed Dorothy "I'm sorry now that I noticed the Record Great Book "

"But can't you realize, my dear, that do my duty, now that aware trouble ? " asked Ozma " fully determined at once Magic Isle Skeezers and enchanted mountain Flatheads, and prevent war and strife between their inhabitants The only question to decide is whether better alone, or to assemble party friends and loyal supporters to accompany me "

" go , too," declared Dorothy "Whatever happens it's going fun -- 'cause all excitement is fun -- and I wouldn't miss it world ! "

Neither Ozma nor Glinda paid any attention statement, for they were gravely considering the serious aspect proposed adventure

" plenty of friends like ," said the Sorceress, "but would afford your Majesty any protection you were in danger yourself the most powerful fairy in Oz, although both I Wizard have more varied arts of magic at our command However, one art that no other in all the world can equal -- the art of winning hearts and making people love to bow to your gracious presence reason I believe accomplish more good alone than with large number of subjects in your train "

"I believe that also," agreed the Princess " quite able care of myself, , but to protect others look for opposition, however speak people in kindly words and settle their dispute -- whatever it -- in just manner "

"Aren't you going me ? " pleaded Dorothy "You'll need some companion, Ozma "

The Princess smiled upon her little friend

" no reason why accompany me," was her reply "Two girls very warlike and suspect us of being on any errand but kindly and peaceful one But, war and strife angry peoples, go at once return immediately Emerald City and prepare to start journey early tomorrow morning "

Glinda was not quite satisfied plan, but think of any better way to meet the problem She knew that Ozma, with all her gentleness and sweet disposition, was accustomed to abide by any decision she had made and easily be turned from her purpose Moreover she no great danger fairy Ruler of Oz undertaking, even though the unknown people she was to visit proved obstinate But Dorothy was not fairy; she was little girl who had come from Kansas to live Land of Oz Dorothy might encounter dangers that to Ozma as nothing but to an "Earth child" very serious

The very fact that Dorothy lived in Oz, and made Princess by her friend Ozma, prevented her from being killed or suffering any great bodily pain as long as she lived fairyland grow big, either, and would always remain the same little girl who had come to Oz, unless in some way she left that fairyland or was spirited away But Dorothy was mortal, nevertheless, and might possibly be destroyed, or hidden where none of her friends could ever find her , for instance be cut into pieces, pieces, while still alive and free from pain, widely scattered; or she buried deep underground or "destroyed" in other ways by evil magicians, were she not properly protected These facts Glinda was considering while she paced with stately tread her marble hall

Finally the good Sorceress paused and drew ring from her finger, handing it to Dorothy

"Wear this ring constantly until your return," she said girl "If serious danger threatens you, turn the ring around finger once right and another turn left ring the alarm bell in my palace at once come to your rescue But use the ring unless actually in danger of destruction While you remain with Princess Ozma I believe she to protect you from all lesser ills "

" , Glinda," responded Dorothy gratefully, as she placed the ring on her finger "I'm going to wear my Magic Belt which Nome King, too, so I guess I'll be safe from anything the Skeezers and Flatheads try "

Ozma had many arrangements before leave her throne and her palace Emerald City, even for trip of , so she bade goodbye to Glinda and with Dorothy climbed Red Wagon word wooden Sawhorse started that astonishing creature return journey, and so swiftly did he run that Dorothy was unable or do anything but hold tight to her seat all the way back Emerald City

Chapter Two

Ozma and Dorothy

Residing in Ozma's palace was live Scarecrow, most remarkable and intelligent creature who had once ruled the Land of Oz for brief period and was much loved and respected by all the people Once Munchkin farmer had stuffed an old suit of clothes with straw and put stuffed boots feet and used pair of stuffed cotton gloves for hands The head Scarecrow was stuffed sack fastened body, with eyes, nose, mouth and ears painted sack When hat put head, the thing was good imitation of man The farmer placed the Scarecrow on pole cornfield and it came to life in curious manner Dorothy, who was passing field, was hailed live Scarecrow and lifted him off his pole He then went with her Emerald City, where the Wizard of Oz gave him some excellent brains, Scarecrow soon became an important personage

Ozma considered the Scarecrow one of her best friends and most loyal subjects, so the morning after her visit to Glinda she asked him her place as Ruler Land of Oz while she was absent on journey, Scarecrow at once consented without asking any questions

Ozma had warned Dorothy their journey secret and say nothing to anyone Skeezers and Flatheads until their return, and Dorothy promised to obey She longed her girl friends, tiny Trot and Betsy Bobbin, adventure they were undertaking, but refrained from saying word although both these girls lived with her in Ozma's palace

Indeed, only Glinda the Sorceress knew they were going, until after they had gone, and even the Sorceress didn't know what their errand

Princess Ozma took the Sawhorse Red Wagon, although she was not sure wagon road all the way Lake Skeezers The Land of Oz is pretty big place, surrounded on all sides by Deadly Desert which impossible to cross, Skeezer Country, according map, was farthest northwestern part of Oz, bordering north desert Emerald City was exactly center of Oz, no small journey from there Skeezers

Around the Emerald City the country is thickly settled in every direction, but the farther away you get city the fewer people , until those parts that border desert have small populations Also those faraway sections are little known Oz people, except south, where Glinda lives and where Dorothy has often wandered on trips of exploration

The least known of all Gillikin Country, which harbors many strange bands of people among its mountains and valleys and forests and streams, and Ozma was now bound most distant part Gillikin Country

" really sorry," said Ozma to Dorothy, rode away Red Wagon, "not more wonderful Land I rule my duty acquainted with every tribe of people and every strange and hidden country in all Oz, but kept so busy at my palace making laws and planning comforts who live near the Emerald City, that often find time long journeys "