" go ," declared the Scarecrow

"And I," said Scraps

" my duty to Ozma ," asserted the Tin Woodman

" stay away, knowing our loved Princess is in danger," said the Wizard

"We all feel like that," Uncle Henry said

Finally one and all present decided Skeezer country, with Glinda little Wizard to lead them Magic must meet magic to conquer it, so these two skillful magic-workers were necessary to insure the success expedition

They were all ready to start at moment's notice, for none had any affairs of importance to attend to Jack was wearing newly made Pumpkin-head Scarecrow had recently been stuffed with fresh straw Tik-Tok's machinery was in good running order Tin Woodman always was well oiled

" quite long journey," said Glinda, "and while travel quickly Skeezer country stork chariot the rest of obliged to walk So, as keep together, send my chariot back to my castle and plan to leave the Emerald City at sunrise to-morrow "

Chapter Fifteen

The Great Sorceress

Betsy and Trot, heard rescue expedition, begged the Wizard to permit them to join it and he consented The Glass Cat, overhearing the conversation, wanted also and the Wizard made no objection

This Glass Cat was real curiosities of Oz It made and brought to life by clever magician named Dr Pipt, who was not now permitted to work magic and was an ordinary citizen Emerald City The cat was of transparent glass, through which one could plainly see its ruby heart beating and its pink brains whirling around top head

The Glass Cat's eyes were emeralds; its fluffy tail was of spun glass and very beautiful The ruby heart, while pretty to look at, was hard and cold Glass Cat's disposition was not pleasant at all times It scorned to catch mice, eat, and was extremely lazy complimented the remarkable cat on her beauty, be very friendly, for she loved admiration above everything The pink brains were always working and their owner was indeed more intelligent than most common cats

Three other additions rescue party were made the next morning, just were setting out upon their journey The first was little boy called Button Bright, because he had no other name that anyone could remember fine, manly little fellow, well mannered and good humored, who had bad fault continually getting lost , Button Bright got found as often as he got lost, but when missing his friends help being anxious about him

"Some day," predicted the Patchwork Girl, "he won't be found, and the last of him " But that didn't worry Button Bright, who was so careless that able to break the habit of getting lost

The second addition party was Munchkin boy of about Button Bright's age, named Ojo often called "Ojo the Lucky," because good fortune followed him wherever he went He and Button Bright were close friends, although different natures, and Trot and Betsy were fond of both

The third and last to join the expedition was an enormous lion, one of Ozma's regular guardians most important and intelligent beast in all Oz himself the Cowardly Lion, saying that every little danger scared him so badly that his heart thumped against his ribs, but all who knew him knew Cowardly Lion's fears were coupled with bravery however much frightened he summoned courage to meet every danger he encountered Often he had saved Dorothy and Ozma in times of peril, but afterward he moaned and trembled and wept because he so scared

"If Ozma needs help, I'm going to help her," said the great beast "Also, I suspect the rest of need me journey -- especially Trot and Betsy -- may pass through dangerous part country that wild Gillikin country pretty well Its forests harbor many ferocious beasts "

They were glad the Cowardly Lion was to join them, and in good spirits the entire party formed procession and marched Emerald City amid the shouts people, who wished them success and safe return with their beloved Ruler

They followed different route taken by Ozma and Dorothy, for they went Winkie Country and up north toward Oogaboo But got there they swerved left and entered the Great Gillikin Forest, the nearest thing to wilderness in all Oz Even the Cowardly Lion had to admit that certain parts forest were unknown to him, although he had often wandered trees, Scarecrow and Tin Woodman, who were great travelers, never there at all

The forest was only reached after tedious tramp, for Rescue Expedition were quite awkward on their feet The Patchwork Girl was as light as feather and very spry; the Tin Woodman covered the ground as easily as Uncle Henry Wizard; but Tik-Tok moved slowly slightest obstruction road would halt him until the others cleared it away Then, too, Tik-Tok's machinery kept running down, so Betsy and Trot took turns in winding it up

The Scarecrow was more clumsy but less bother, for although he often stumbled and fell scramble up again and little patting straw-stuffed body would put him in good shape again

Another awkward one was Jack Pumpkinhead, for walking would jar his head around neck and then likely wrong direction But the Frogman took Jack's arm and then he followed the path more easily

Cap'n Bill's wooden leg didn't prevent him from keeping up others old sailor could walk as far as any

entered the forest the Cowardly Lion took the lead no path here for men, but many beasts had made paths own which only the eyes Lion, practiced in woodcraft, could discern So he stalked ahead and wound his way in and out, the others following in single file, Glinda being next Lion

dangers forest, , but huge Lion headed the party he kept the wild denizens wilderness from bothering the travelers Once, , an enormous leopard sprang Glass Cat and caught her powerful jaws, but he broke several teeth and with howls of pain and dismay dropped his prey and vanished trees

" hurt ? " Trot anxiously inquired Glass Cat

"How silly ! " exclaimed the creature in an irritated tone of voice; "nothing can hurt glass, and I'm too solid to break easily But I'm annoyed leopard's impudence He has no respect for beauty or intelligence If he had noticed my pink brains work, I'm sure realized I'm too important grabbed in wild beast's jaws "

"Never mind," said Trot consolingly; "I'm sure he won't again "

They were almost center forest when Ojo, the Munchkin boy, suddenly said: "Why, where's Button Bright ? "

They halted and looked around them Button Bright was not party

Dear me," remarked Betsy, "I expect he's lost again ! "

"When did him last, Ojo ? "inquired Glinda

" ," replied Ojo " trailing along end and throwing twigs squirrels trees Then I went to Betsy and Trot, and just now I noticed gone "

" too bad," declared the Wizard, " is sure to delay our journey find Button Bright before we go any farther, forest is full of ferocious beasts not hesitate to tear the boy to pieces "

"But what shall ? " asked the Scarecrow "If any of us leaves the party to search for Button Bright he or she might fall victim beasts, and Lion leaves us no protector

"The Glass Cat could go," suggested the Frogman "The beasts can do her no harm, as discovered "

The Wizard turned to Glinda

"Cannot your sorcery discover where Button Bright is ? " he asked

" so," replied the Sorceress

She called to Uncle Henry, who carrying her wicker box, to bring it to her, and when he obeyed she opened it and drew out small round mirror surface glass she dusted white powder and then wiped it away with her handkerchief and looked mirror It reflected part forest, and there, beneath wide-spreading tree, Button Bright was lying asleep On one side of him crouched tiger, ready to spring; other side was big gray wolf, its bared fangs glistening in wicked way

"Goodness me ! " cried Trot, looking over Glinda's shoulder "They'll catch and kill him sure "

Everyone crowded around for glimpse magic mirror

"Pretty bad -- pretty bad ! " said the Scarecrow sorrowfully

"Comes of getting lost ! " said Cap'n Bill, sighing

"Guess he's goner ! " said the Frogman, wiping his eyes purple silk handkerchief

"But where is he ? Can't we save him ? " asked Ojo the Lucky

"If where probably save him," replied the little Wizard, "but that tree looks like all the other trees, that 't tell whether it's far away or near by "

"Look at Glinda ! " exclaimed Betsy

Glinda, having handed the mirror Wizard, had stepped aside and was making strange passes with her outstretched arms and reciting in low, sweet tones mystical incantation Most watched the Sorceress with anxious eyes, despair giving way she able to save their friend the Wizard, however, watched the scene mirror, while over his shoulders peered Trot, the Scarecrow Shaggy Man

What they saw was more strange than Glinda's actions The tiger started to spring sleeping boy, but suddenly lost its power to move and lay flat ground The gray wolf seemed unable to lift its feet ground It pulled first at one leg and then at another, and finding itself strangely confined spot began to back and snarl angrily They couldn't hear the barkings and snarls, but see the creature's mouth open and its thick lips move Button Bright, however, being but few feet away wolf, heard its cries of rage, which wakened him untroubled sleep The boy sat up and looked first tiger and then wolf His face showed that for moment quite frightened, but he soon saw beasts were unable to approach him and so he got upon his feet and examined them curiously, with mischievous smile upon his face Then he deliberately kicked the tiger's head foot and catching up fallen branch of tree he went wolf and gave it good whacking Both the beasts were furious at such treatment but resent it

Button Bright now threw down the stick and hands pockets wandered carelessly away

"Now," said Glinda, "let the Glass Cat run and find him direction," pointing the way, "but how far off know Make haste and lead him back as quickly "