As Betsy insisted on hearing Ozma's story first, the little Princess began it, the airman looking terribly embarrassed as she told how he had fallen clouds and then flown off with her Reddy nodded sympathetically, as Ozma described her flight air Having been carried off by pigeon himself, just how she felt, and when Ozma told how the days and nights flew past sky and how she had punctured the airman and come tumbling to earth, Carter Green was simply rooted spot Vegetable Man, excitement, had forgotten moving

"But good friends now," put in Atmos hastily, as Reddy tugged the Vegetable Man loose "Aren't we, little Princess ? " Ozma nodded and smiled and went hurriedly on with her story After being tossed about rolling country, it had at last flung them into small lake, whole, rather fortunate, were nearly choked with dust Atmos, iron boots, floated nicely, and after they had washed off the mud, he towed the little fairy safely to shore The sun had soon dried them off had taken the first road that stretched ahead

"And ," finished Ozma, smiling gaily at Betsy, " lucky road, brought us straight

Betsy's story, well imagine took much longer, flown as fast earth travellers as it had sky travellers And little girl, helped out by Carter and Reddy Hungry Tiger, recounted her strange trip with Carter to Rash, the discovery Hungry Tiger, the wicked-ness of Irashi, the story lost rubies little Prince, their escape and fall Down Town-Ozma and Atmos listened with simply breathless attention And as Betsy described their experiences with Kaliko tumble down the fire-fall, the airman snatched two handkerchiefs tree and began to mop his head with first one and then the other

"Too strange ," sighed the airman weakly "They'll never believe this Cloud Country "

Ozma smiled to herself , and decided airman's lecture would last several centuries if he tried to include Betsy's story own Betsy was so out of breath , Reddy took up the tale and told them all about Immense City Giants As he put wig to demonstrate its marvelous power, Ozma looked up little Prince in frank admiration

" shown yourself wise and brave and deserve to rule over Kingdom," said the little Fairy, as Reddy took off the wig and sat down beside her " I had some magic appliances with me, then locate the last ruby and restore you throne at once As it is, we'll have back Emerald City and consult the Wizard of Oz "

"Last ruby," puffed Atmos, who paid much attention ruby part story "Why, ruby " Reaching in one air pockets, the skyman produced sparkling square gem Seizing the jewel with grasp of surprise, Reddy brought out the other two and held them up for all

"Why, last ruby," cried the little Prince, pointing R, carved distinctly side gem " ruby that protects me from all danger air "

"But how did Atmos get it ? " exclaimed Betsy, completely bewildered

"Well, an airman," began Reddy, not himself, but too surprised and delighted to really care, "And I suppose-"

"I got it from sky-lark," announced the airman, puffing out his cheeks importantly "One morning, as picking air currents from large current bush near my air castle, sky-lark flew by and dropped this ruby into my hand And as bright and shiny, and unlike anything I had ever seen, I kept it "

"Well, good ! " cried Carter Green, clapping Atmos back "The lark caught the ruby as Irashi flung it air Imagine the old scalawag's feelings when that Vegetable Man found the ruby he buried garden, fisherman the ruby he hurled river and an airman, the ruby he tossed air ! Quite coincidence, I call it " And taking three skips and hop from rooting spot, Carter perched on rock he had found himself and began to whistle merrily

"And now ! " exclaimed Betsy, running over to seize Reddy's hands, "Now with all rubies conquer Irashi and nothing can ever harm you again ! "

"Oh, let's go back to Oz," growled the Hungry Tiger, lashing his tail little very thought of Irashi "Let's go back to Oz where the meals are regular and tiger's tiger Reddy can live and we'll all have fun together , ever find way to cross the desert "

"I'll carry you across, volunteered the airman, looking down at his boots "I'm big enough and I'd do anything for little Ozma I'm her airrend boy," he grinned, winking at Carter Green

"And I'm Betsy's," declared Carter proudly Jumping off the stone he began hopping round like jack-rabbit, and Ozma could hardly keep her eyes off the comical little gentleman

"Let's start, fellows," suggested Carter squinting up sun "Perhaps nearer this desert than and 're not sure way either Emerald City or to Rash, we'll have where the next road takes us

"The desert lies over there," announced Reddy, pointing toward the East " the gleaming sand when I had on my big wig "

"Then let's go East," sighed Ozma, seating herself contentedly Hungry Tiger In twinkling Betsy hopped up beside her and with Reddy pacing proudly ahead and Carter and Atmos ambling comfortably behind, the little procession started off

CHAPTER 19

Reddy Restored Throne

THE time passed most merrily travellers Carter and Atmos were so interested in , and Betsy and Ozma were so busy exchanging their strange experiences, they scarcely noticed the country through which they were passing But after an hour's march Reddy, who was still ahead others, gave loud cry of surprise, for he had caught glimpse pink towers of Rash

"We've travelled in circle," panted the little boy excitedly, "and here back where we started from "

"Well, shall we stop and conquer Irashi or go on back to Oz ? " queried Betsy "The Deadly Desert is other side city, and easily march around it "

"March round by all means," roared the Hungry Tiger, who had his own reasons for avoiding Rash " Emerald City Ozma can whole conquering by magic, and then if Reddy still wants to return measly little Kingdom, transport him Magic Belt "

The little fairy looked inquiringly at Reddy, but Reddy lifted his chin and fingering his sword lovingly, shook his head

"A Prince should conquer his own enemies," declared the little boy bravely, "and way Irashi treated us, I really ought to conquer him "

"But can six people conquer city ? " gasped the airman rolling his eyes big wildly " sky it takes an army

"I've seen one person conquer city in Oz," boasted Betsy proudly "Come on Red, I'll

"So will I ! " cried Carter Green, picking up stout stick, "And the Rash rubies, remember ! "

"I don't know much about earth battles, but tread on few toes," offered Atmos, clumping little Prince and tapping his boots significantly

"And set upon it, I'll bite off few heads," roared the Hungry Tiger "On to Rash ! " Bidding the little girls hold tight, he went charging full speed over the hill', Reddy, Atmos and Carter racing breathless after him

Now it happened that Irashi Chief Scribe were having luncheon castle gardens They had long since dismissed the Hungry Tiger little Prince from their evil minds therefore imagine their astonishment and dismay when Reddy companions came hurtling trees The little army had rushed impetuously past the guards gate and, after one glimpse Hungry Tiger, the Rashers they encountered city had fled like leaves wind, so had reached the castle without interference

At sight huge airman, Ippty, who about to pour himself cup of coffee, gave frightful scream and scrambled nimbly into tree, while Irashi, seizing silver whistle, that hung round his neck, blew three shrill blasts and, drawing his scimiter, made savage slash at Reddy But the scimiter slid harmlessly down the little boy's cheek, coffee pot, which Ippty hurled tree, bounced like rubber ball, off his head

"It's the rubies, the Rash rubies ! " exulted Betsy Bobbin Betsy and Ozma had jumped off the tiger, great beast, crouched foot of Ippty's tree, was glaring upward with look so terrible Scribe of Rash trembled till the very branches shook

"See what's coming," coughed Carter, with warning wave toward the castle In answer to Irashi's whistle, the entire army of Rash was advancing invaders

"Spinach ! Gamin and spinach ! " spluttered the Vegetable Man wildly

" what you call 'em ? " panted Atmos, and putting the little girls firmly behind him, ready to tread army's toes Swinging his stick like flail, Carter took his place at Reddy's right and, roaring like dozen cannons, the Hungry Tiger placed himself little boy's left Reddy, himself, giving no attention frantic slashes scimiter, nor the furious advance Rash army, was pushing Irashi steadily backwards

And old rascal, breathless pummelings, turned whether his army were coming, Reddy snatched off Irashi's crown and tossed it back to Betsy Bobbin

"Keep it Betsy," puffed the little Prince, " 't use it now " Clinging anxiously together, both little girls began to wish they had persuaded Reddy not to conquer Irashi How was one small boy, even though helped out by three magic rubies and five loyal friends, to conquer the entire army of Rash ?

But Reddy's plans were all made Rashers rushed upon him, airman got in one splendid kick and Carter one tremendous whack, the little boy clapped giant's wig

never seen more terrified and bewildered company The screams of Irashi Guardsmen, as Reddy shot skyward, nearly deafened Betsy and Ozma And as he began to pick up one and then another soldiers and take away their swords, their terror was pitiful They crawled, ran, leaped, and tumbled in wild scramble away, the Hungry Tiger snapping viciously at their heels airman helping them most efficiently iron boots In one moment more, not Rasher was seen anywhere

" ," grunted the airman, rubbing his hands together with great glee, " end gamin and spinach "