"Can Ozma do all that ? " marveled the little Prince wonderingly

"Ozma can do anything," Betsy answered proudly "Just wait till the Emerald City and Scraps Scarecrow "

"Tell me ," begged the little Prince eagerly, and Hungry Tiger padded comfortably down the long sunlit lanes, Betsy told Reddy all jolly inhabitants of Oz The Vegetable Man listened attentively, too, his new ears bit forward and dreamy expression kindly blue eyes But right middle of description of Tik Tok, the metal man, bounce of surprise

"Spinach ! " spluttered Carter Green explosively

"Where ? " inquired the Hungry Tiger, coming to an abrupt stop and blinking around longingly not very fond of spinach, but even spinach would taste better than nothing

"I didn't mean spinach exactly," mumbled the Vegetable Man hurriedly "But look ! " Pointing his twig-like finger to bend road, Carter directed their attention to weather beaten sign

"Beware the Ants ! " advised the sign myste-riously

"Oh, they're not red ants," murmured Betsy, anxiously "Red ants bite ! "

"Who's afraid of ants ? " cried Reddy disdain-fully "All is tread on em

"That's right," agreed the Hungry Tiger "I'm surprised at you, Carter, stopping us for little thing like that "

"But suppose there were millions ," shuddered the Vegetable Man uneasily "I'd be feast for ants "

Betsy looked troubled, but the Prince of Rash, slapping his pocket suddenly, reminded her Rash rubies

"The rubies will protect us no matter what happens," declared Reddy, confidently

" an ant, jump on my back," advised the Hungry Tiger calmly "Then we'll all stick together and I'll run like sixty "

Carter shook his head and muttered unhappily to himself help remembering the sad accident ears They all kept their eyes glued road first sign ants, the Hungry Tiger tip-toeing along almost he were walking on eggs They were all so intent road beneath their feet never thought road ahead at all Then Betsy, suddenly looking up whether any towns or villages were visible, gave shrill scream and clasped her arms round the tiger's neck

"Ants ? " quavered Carter, leaping Hungry Tiger and fastening both hands in Reddy's belt Betsy was too shocked for speech, and it Hungry Tiger, himself, who answered Carter's query

"Ants ! " coughed the Hungry Tiger, trembling like leaf, "Giants ! " And swinging about like pivot, the terrified beast raced off opposite direction But the Giants had already seen them There were four huge creatures, and Betsy, glancing fearfully over her shoulder saw the smallest-a perfectly tremendous little girl Giant-beginning to gain on them The Hungry Tiger did his best, but hope to outdistance creature whose every step covered city block ?

"Father ! Father ! " shrilled the little Giant, in voice that shook the hills, "see that darling little kitten ! " luckless travellers had time , think, or act, great hand came snatching downward and seized the Hungry Tiger scruff neck Up went the tiger, off went the three riders and, turning seven somersaults, landed together in hay field they had picked themselves up, the Giants were mile down the road

"They're worse than gnomes," sputtered Carter indignantly "Called the Hungry Tiger, kitten ! Did you hear that ? It's wonder that great girl didn't break us to bits "

"She had the rubies," panted Evered, picking up his sword " fallen quarter of mile Weren't you scared Betsy ? "

Betsy shivered, but recovering herself quickly ran out road and tried to catch last glimpse Hungry Tiger "We'll have after them," she cried "That girl needn't think she the Hungry Tiger for kitten Why, furious "

''I'm glad she didn't pick me for exclaimed Carter, walking briskly up and down from taking root "Let's go on, Betsy Maybe the Giants live around here somewhere and maybe help the Hungry Tiger to escape

"I'm not afraid of Giants," asserted Reddy, in slightly shaky voice "Come on, we've the Rash rubies to protect us Trying up their courage and assuming bravery they were very far from feeling, the three adventurers started off direction the Giants had taken

"Well, we don't meet any more, sighed Betsy, pressing closer Vegetable Man, "and the Hungry Tiger before night time "

The sun had set, and gray twilight the trees and bushes took on fearsome shapes and forms Keeping close together, and conversing in scared whispers, they hurried anxiously along Soon large and disturbing signs began to appear on both sides road

"This country belongs Big Wigs Keep Out ! " advised the signs

"Big Wigs ! " breathed Betsy nervously, "Why, the giants "

"See how high the fences are, trees are so tall even see the tops," gasped Reddy Feeling smaller than ever, the two children and Carter tip-toed down the long dark lanes and presently came Giant City, itself All see was grim gray wall, stretching up toward the sky Hanging in niches wall at regular distances were great yellow lanterns and traced wall itself in flaming letters stood the town's name

"Immense City," quavered the Vegetable Man, in choked voice "Well, say ! "

"If there were only gate," mourned Betsy, " peek through Oh, dear, hope the Hungry Tiger is safe "

"He's safe enough," groaned Carter, looking sadly great wall, "but how are we ever in to him ? " The only entrance to Immense City seemed huge stone door center wall, and locked and bolted with bars as big as telegraph poles Over the wall came confused murmur of voices, the rumble of wheels and muffled sound of music, while drifting down tired, hungry travellers came the delicious smell of hundred giant dinners cooking

"Just one giant biscuit enough ," sighed Betsy, sniffing the air wistfully "I'll bet it as big Reddy "

"What's the use of wishing," sighed the little Prince gloomily " never climb over the wall and there's nothing to eat side I almost wish we had stayed Down Town ! "

Both children looked so down-hearted that Carter saw at once that something So, bidding them keep close together, the Vegetable Man went off in search of supper The lanterns city wall spread their radiance for miles around and not long before Carter came to great apple orchard Climbing the trees was impossible, but scattered about ground were apples the size of pumpkins Taking smallest, the Vegetable Man hurried back others size, the apple was of delicious flavor Reddy cut it into slices sword and he and Betsy grew so merry over their strange supper that Carter felt well repaid trouble

"Tomorrow," promised the Vegetable Man gaily, "We way city and rescue our old friend "

"And tonight ? " queried Betsy, uneasily "Tonight rest," answered Carter calmly, sleeping under the walls of giant city were quite usual affair Gathering leaves and twigs, Betsy and Evered comfortable beds shelter of giant elm For himself, he collected pile of rocks "So I'll not take root," he explained with wink The leafy beds were so soft and Betsy and Reddy so weary, they soon fell asleep, but Carter rocky couch never closed his eyes

CHAPTER 13

Beside the Wall

THE bright sun awakened Betsy and Reddy next morning Betsy dreaming Emerald City and was but half awake Rubbing her eyes, she stared in bewilderment high walls of Immense City

"Oh, dear ! " mused the little girl, heaving sigh of disappointment, "We're still here, aren't we ? "

" say ," answered Carter, "and when of all we've been through it's quite miracle, Betsy my child, to even be here " Carter had brushed back his celery tops, perked up his ears, washed his red cheeks brook and looked fresh as only Vegetable Man may

"I wonder Big Wigs ever use that door," yawned the little Prince of Rash, rolling over sleepily

"Just what wondering," murmured Carter "Now my plan watch the door carefully Then, when it opens, slip in unnoticed and look around Hungry Tiger But mighty careful not run over or trodden upon Giants "

Betsy turned trifle pale at mention Giants, but Reddy hastened to reassure her "I'll take care of you, Betsy," promised the little Prince boldly, " rubies will help even Giants do catch us

Somewhat comforted, but not absolutely convinced, Betsy ran over brook, and after she and Reddy splashed their hands and faces cool water and took long drink from nearby spring, they both felt quite adventurous and cheerful

"We'll not bother about breakfast," decided Carter, "for I've notion there'll be plenty inside "

" really s'pose they'll open the gate ? " asked Betsy, quite excited prospect of entering giant city

"Well, the four Big Wigs we met road come out that way," observed Carter, blinking up enormous tulip trees surrounding the Big Wig Town Each leaf was large as person and Carter was about to pick one up ground and fashion it into hat for Betsy, when perfect shower of rocks came flying over the wall While none actually hit the three travellers they were so startled suddenness attack stood frozen spot Then Carter, seizing Betsy, darted behind tree Before Reddy could join them, flock of monstrous pigeons swooped down wall and began pecking greedily rocks

"Why they're giant crumbs," cried Betsy, peering around the tree in astonishment "Did you ever see such big birds ? Why, they're big as ostriches ! "