The Wizard handed the mirror back to Glinda, woodland scene had now faded glass Then those who cared to rest sat down to await Button Bright's coming not long before be appeared trees and as he rejoined his friends in peevish tone:

"Don't ever send that Glass Cat me again She was very impolite and, didn't all know that she had no manners, I'd say she insulted me "

Glinda turned boy sternly

" caused all of us much anxiety and annoyance," said she "Only my magic saved you from destruction I forbid you lost again "

" ," he answered "It won't be my fault if I get lost again; but it wasn't my fault "

Chapter Sixteen

The Enchanted Fishes

now tell you what happened to Ervic three other Skeezers who were left floating iron boat after Queen Coo-ee-oh transformed into Diamond Swan magic Flathead Su-dic

The four Skeezers were all young men and their leader was Ervic Coo-ee-oh had taken them with her boat to assist her if she captured the Flathead chief, as she hoped of her silver rope They knew nothing witchcraft that moved the submarine and so, when left floating lake, were at loss what The submarine submerged or made to return sunken island There were neither oars nor sails boat, not anchored but drifted quietly surface lake

The Diamond Swan had no further thought or care for her people She had sailed over other side lake and all the calls and pleadings of Ervic companions were unheeded vain bird nothing else , they sat quietly in their boat and waited as patiently as for someone aid

The Flatheads had refused to help them and had gone back mountain All the Skeezers were imprisoned Great Dome and help even themselves When evening came, they saw the Diamond Swan, still keeping opposite shore lake, walk water sands, shake her diamond- sprinkled feathers, and then disappear bushes to seek resting place night

"I'm hungry," said Ervic

"I'm cold," said another Skeezer

"I'm tired," said third

"I'm afraid," said the last

But it did them no good to complain Night fell moon rose and cast silvery sheen over the surface water

"Go to sleep," said Ervic companions "I'll stay awake and watch, for rescued in some unexpected way

So the other three laid themselves down bottom boat and were soon fast asleep

Ervic watched He rested himself by leaning over the bow boat, his face near moonlit water, and thought dreamily day's surprising events and wondered what would happen prisoners Great Dome

Suddenly tiny goldfish popped its head above the surface lake, not more than foot eyes silverfish then raised its head beside that goldfish, and moment later bronzefish lifted its head beside the others The three fish, all in row, looked earnestly with their round, bright eyes astonished eyes of Ervic the Skeezer

" the three Adepts whom Queen Coo-ee-oh betrayed and wickedly transformed," said the goldfish, its voice low and soft but distinctly heard stillness night

" Queen's treacherous deed," replied Ervic, "and sorry for your misfortune been lake ? "

"Yes," reply

"I -- well -- and comfortable," stammered Ervic, not knowing what else

" that some day Ooo-ee-oh would meet fate she so richly deserves," declared the bronzefish " waited and watched for Now promise to and faithful and true, aid us in regaining our natural forms, and save yourself and all your people dangers that now threaten you "

"Well," said Ervic, " depend on my doing the best But I'm no witch, nor magician, know "

"All we ask you obey our instructions," returned the silverfish " that honest you served Coo-ee-oh only because you were obliged to to escape her anger Do command and all well "

"I promise ! " exclaimed the young man "Tell me what first "

" bottom of your boat the silver cord which dropped from Coo-ee-oh's hand when she was transformed," said the goldfish "Tie one end cord bow of your boat and drop the other end water Together pull your boat shore "

Ervic much doubted three small fishes could move so heavy boat, but as told fishes all seized their end silver cord in their mouths and headed toward the nearest shore, the very place where the Flatheads had stood conquered Queen Coo-ee-oh

At first the boat move at all, although the fishes pulled with all their strength But presently the strain began Very slowly the boat crept toward the shore, gaining more speed at every moment couple of yards away sandy beach the fishes dropped the cord from their mouths and swam to one side, while the iron boat, being now under way, continued to move until its prow grated sands

Ervic leaned over the side and said fishes: "What next ? "

" sand," said the silverfish, "a copper kettle, which the Su-dic forgot when he went away Cleanse it thoroughly water lake, has had poison When cleaned, fill it with fresh water and hold it over the side boat, we three may swim kettle then instruct you further "

" wish me to catch you, then ? " asked Ervic in surprise

"Yes," reply

So Ervic jumped boat and found the copper kettle Carrying it little way down the beach, he washed it well, scrubbing away every drop poison it had contained with sand shore

Then he went back boat

Ervic's comrades were still sound asleep and knew nothing three fishes or what strange happenings were taking place Ervic dipped the kettle lake, holding fast handle until under water The gold and silver and bronze fishes promptly swam kettle The young Skeezer then lifted it, poured out little water so it spill over the edge, and said fishes: "What next ? "

"Carry the kettle shore Take one hundred steps east, along the edge lake, and then path leading meadows, up hill and down dale Follow the path until you come to cottage painted purple color with white trimmings stop gate cottage tell you what next Be careful, above all, not to stumble and spill the water kettle, or destroy us and all you in vain "

The goldfish issued these commands and Ervic promised careful and started to obey He left his sleeping comrades boat, stepping cautiously over their bodies, and on reaching the shore took exactly one hundred steps east Then he looked path moonlight was so bright that he easily discovered it, although hidden from view by tall weeds until one came full upon it This path was very narrow and much used, but quite distinct and Ervic had no difficulty in following it He walked through broad meadow, covered with tall grass and weeds, up hill and down into valley and then up another hill and down again

It seemed to Ervic that he had walked miles and miles Indeed the moon sank low and day was beginning to dawn when finally he discovered roadside pretty little cottage, painted purple with white trimmings lonely place -- no other buildings were anywhere about ground was not tilled at all No farmer lived here, that was certain care to dwell an isolated place ?

But Ervic bother his head long questions He went gate that led cottage, set the copper kettle carefully down and bending over it asked:

"What next ? "

Chapter Seventeen

Under the Great Dome

When Glinda the Good and her followers Rescue Expedition came in sight Enchanted Mountain Flatheads, away left , route they had taken Great Forest was some distance followed by Ozma and Dorothy

They halted awhile to decide whether they should call Supreme Dictator first, or go on Lake Skeezers