"I, myself, witnessed this shocking scene," continued Lady Aurex, "and so did Skeezers The news was carried Flatheads, who then turned from friends to enemies The Su-dic wife Rora were the only ones mountain who were glad the three Adepts lost , at once became Rulers Flatheads and stole their canned brains from others themselves the more powerful Adepts' magic tools left mountain, and these Rora seized and use she became witch

"The result of Coo-ee-oh's treachery was both the Skeezers Flatheads miserable instead of happy were the Su-dic wife cruel people, but our Queen at once became proud and arrogant and treated us very unkindly All the Skeezers knew she had stolen her magic powers and so she hated us and made us humble ourselves before her and obey her slightest word disobeyed, or please her, or talked about her when we were own homes she us dragged whipping post in her palace and lashed with knotted cords why we fear her so greatly "

This story filled Ozma's heart with sorrow and Dorothy's heart with indignation

"I now understand," said Ozma, "why the fishes lake have brought about war Skeezers Flatheads "

"Yes," Lady Aurex answered, "now that the story easy to understand The Su-dic wife came to our lake hoping to catch the silver fish, or gold fish, or bronze fish -- would do - - and by destroying it deprive Coo-ee-oh of her magic Then easily conquer her Also they had another reason for wanting to catch the fish -- they feared that in some way the three Adepts might regain their proper forms and then sure to return mountain and punish Rora Su-dic That was why Rora finally tried to poison all the fishes lake, Coo-ee-oh transformed her into Golden Pig this attempt to destroy the fishes frightened the Queen, for her safety lies in keeping the three fishes alive "

"I s'pose Coo-ee-oh will fight the Flatheads with all her might," observed Dorothy

"And with all her magic," added Ozma, thoughtfully

" how the Flatheads can get island to hurt us," said Lady Aurex

" bows and arrows, and I guess they mean to shoot the arrows at your big dome, and break all the glass ," suggested Dorothy

But Lady Aurex shook her head with smile

" ," she replied

" ? "

"I dare not tell you why, but Flatheads come to-morrow morning yourselves see the reason "

" attempt to harm the island," Ozma declared "I believe first attempt to destroy the fishes, by poison or some other means succeed , the conquest island difficult "

" no boats," said Lady Aurex, "and Coo-ee- oh, who has long expected this war, preparing in many astonishing ways I almost wish the Flatheads would conquer us, for then free dreadful Queen; but wish the three transformed fishes destroyed, for lies our only hope of future happiness "

"Ozma will take care of you, whatever happens," Dorothy assured her But the Lady Aurex, not knowing the extent of Ozma's power -- , , not so great as Dorothy imagined -- take much comfort promise

evident there exciting times morrow, Flatheads really attacked the Skeezers Magic Isle

Chapter Ten

Under Water

When night fell all the interior Great Dome, streets and houses, became lighted with brilliant incandescent lamps, which rendered it bright as day Dorothy thought the island must look beautiful by night outer shore lake revelry and feasting Queen's palace, music royal band plainly heard in Lady Aurex's house, where Ozma and Dorothy remained with their hostess and keeper They were prisoners, but treated with much consideration

Lady Aurex gave them nice supper and wished to retire showed them to pretty room with comfortable beds and wished them good night and pleasant dreams

"What of all this, Ozma ? " Dorothy anxiously inquired were alone

" we came," reply, "for although mischief done to-morrow, necessary know about these people, whose leaders are wild and lawless and oppress their subjects with injustice and cruelties My task, therefore, is to liberate the Skeezers Flatheads and secure freedom and happiness accomplish this "

"Just now, though, we're in bad fix," asserted Dorothy "If Queen Coo-ee-oh conquers to-morrow, she won't be nice , and Su-dic conquers, he'll be worse "

" worry, dear," said Ozma, " in danger, whatever happens, result adventure is sure good "

Dorothy was not worrying, especially She had confidence in her friend, the fairy Princess of Oz, and she enjoyed the excitement events she was taking part So she crept into bed and fell asleep as easily she in her own cosy room in Ozma's palace

sort of grating, grinding sound awakened her The whole island seemed to tremble and sway, as it might do in an earthquake Dorothy sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes the sleep , and then found daybreak

Ozma was hurriedly dressing herself

" it ? " asked Dorothy, jumping out of bed

"I'm not sure," answered Ozma "but it feels as island is sinking "

they finished dressing, while the creaking and swaying continued Then they rushed living room house and found Lady Aurex, fully dressed, awaiting them

" be alarmed," said their hostess "Coo-ee-oh has decided to submerge the island, all But it proves the Flatheads are coming to attack us "

"What by sub-sub-merging the island ? " asked Dorothy

"Come here ," reply

Lady Aurex led them to window which faced the side great dome which covered all the village, and see island was indeed sinking, water lake was already half way up the side dome glass seen swimming fishes, and tall stalks of swaying seaweeds, water was clear as crystal and through it distinguish even the farther shore lake

"The Flatheads here yet," said Lady Aurex " come soon, but not until all dome is under the surface water "

"Won't the dome leak ? " Dorothy inquired anxiously

"No, indeed "

" island ever sub-sub-sunk before ? "

"Oh, yes; on several occasions But Coo-ee-oh doesn't care to often, requires lot of hard work to operate the machinery The dome was built so island could disappear ," she continued, " Queen fears the Flatheads will attack the island and try to break the glass dome "

"Well, 're under water, 't fight us, and 't fight them," asserted Dorothy

" kill the fishes, however," said Ozma gravely

" ways to fight, also, even though our island is under water," claimed Lady Aurex " tell you all our secrets, but this island is full of surprises Also our Queen's magic is astonishing "

"Did she steal it all three Adepts in Sorcery now fishes ? "

"She stole the knowledge magic tools, but she has used them three Adepts never done "

the top dome was quite under water and suddenly the island stopped sinking and became stationary

"See ! " cried Lady Aurex, pointing shore "The Flatheads have come "

bank, now far above their heads, crowd of dark figures seen

"Now what Coo-ee-oh will do to oppose them," continued Lady Aurex, in voice that betrayed her excitement

* * * * * * * *

The Flatheads, pushing their way line of palm trees, had reached the shore lake just top island's dome disappeared beneath the surface The water now flowed from shore to shore, but clear water the dome was still visible houses Skeezers dimly seen panes of glass

"Good ! " exclaimed the Su-dic, who had armed all his followers and had brought two copper vessels, which he carefully set down ground beside him "If Coo-ee-oh wants to hide instead of fighting our job easy, for in copper vessels enough poison to kill every fish lake "

"Kill them, then, while time, and then go home again," advised chief officers

"Not yet," objected the Su-dic "The Queen Skeezers has defied me, and her into my power, destroy her magic She transformed my poor wife into Golden Pig, and revenge , whatever else "