Another great beast now appeared and asked along none the famous Cowardly Lion, interesting creatures in all Oz No lion that roamed the jungles or plains could compare in size or intelligence Cowardly Lion, who--like all animals living in Oz--could talk and who talked with more shrewdness and wisdom than people did cowardly because he always trembled when he faced danger, but he had faced danger and never refused to fight when necessary This Lion was great favorite with Ozma and always guarded her throne on state occasions also an old companion and friend Princess Dorothy, so the girl was delighted him join the party

"I'm so nervous over our dear Ozma," said the Cowardly Lion deep, rumbling voice, " would make me unhappy to remain behind while trying her But get into any danger, I beg of you, for danger frightens me terribly "

"We'll not get into danger poss'bly help it," promised Dorothy, "but do anything Ozma, danger or no danger "

The addition Woozy Cowardly Lion party gave Betsy Bobbin an idea, and she ran marble stables rear palace and brought out her mule, Hank by name Perhaps no mule you ever saw was so lean and bony and altogether plain looking Hank, but Betsy loved him dearly because faithful and steady and not nearly so stupid as most mules are considered Betsy had saddle for Hank, and he declared ride back, an arrangement approved Wizard because it left only four party to ride seats Red Wagon--Dorothy and Button-Bright and Trot and himself

An old sailor man who had one wooden leg came them off and suggested put supply of food and blankets Red Wagon inasmuch were uncertain how long gone This sailor man was called Cap'n Bill former friend and comrade of Trot and had encountered many adventures in company little girl sorry go with her trip, but Glinda the Sorceress had asked Cap'n Bill to remain Emerald City and take charge royal palace while everyone else was away, one-legged sailor had agreed

They loaded the back end Red Wagon with everything they thought need, and then they formed procession and marched palace Emerald City great gates wall that surrounded this beautiful capital Land of Oz Crowds of citizens lined the streets them pass and to cheer them and wish them success, for all were grieved over Ozma's loss and anxious that she be found again First came the Cowardly Lion, then the Patchwork Girl riding Woozy, then Betsy Bobbin on her mule Hank, and finally the Sawhorse drawing the Red Wagon, were seated the Wizard and Dorothy and Button-Bright and Trot No one was obliged to drive the Sawhorse, so there were no reins harness; one had only him , fast or slow, and he understood perfectly

that shaggy little black dog who lying asleep in Dorothy's room palace woke up and discovered lonesome Everything seemed very still great building, and Toto--that little dog's name--missed the customary chatter three girls He never paid much attention to going on around him, and although speak, he seldom said anything, so the little dog know about Ozma's loss or that everyone had gone in search of her But he liked with people, and especially own mistress, Dorothy, and having yawned and stretched himself and found the door room ajar, he trotted out corridor and went down the stately marble stairs hall palace, where he met Jellia Jamb

"Where's Dorothy ? " asked Toto

"She's gone Winkie Country," answered the maid

"When ? "

"A little while ago," replied Jellia

Toto turned and trotted out palace garden and down the long driveway until streets Emerald City Here he paused to listen, and hearing sounds of cheering, he ran swiftly along until in sight Red Wagon Woozy Lion Mule and all the others Being wise little dog, he decided not to show himself to Dorothy just then, lest he be sent back home, but he never lost sight party of travelers, all of whom were so eager ahead never thought to look behind them came gates city wall, the Guardian Gates came out to throw wide the golden portals and let them pass through

"Did any strange person come in or city night before last when Ozma was stolen ? " asked Dorothy

"No indeed, Princess," answered the Guardian Gates

" not," said the Wizard "Anyone clever enough to steal all the things lost mind the barrier of wall like this least the thief flown air, for otherwise have stolen from Ozma's royal palace and Glinda's faraway castle same night Moreover, as no airships in Oz and no way for airships outside world country, I believe the thief flown from place of magic arts which neither Glinda nor I understand "

On they went, and gates closed behind them, Toto managed to dodge through them The country surrounding the Emerald City was thickly settled, and for while our friends rode over nicely paved roads which wound through fertile country dotted with beautiful houses, all built quaint Oz fashion course of few hours, however, they had left the tilled fields and entered the Country Winkies, which occupies quarter of all the territory Land of Oz but known as parts of Ozma's fairyland Long before night the travelers had crossed the Winkie River near Scarecrow's Tower ( now vacant) and had entered the Rolling Prairie where few people live They asked everyone they met for news of Ozma, but none district had seen her or even knew that she stolen And by nightfall they had passed all the farmhouses and were obliged to stop and ask for shelter hut of lonely shepherd halted, Toto was not far behind The little dog halted, too, and stealing softly around the party, he hid himself behind the hut

The shepherd was kindly old man and treated the travelers with much courtesy He slept out of doors that night, giving up his hut three girls, their beds floor blankets they had brought Red Wagon The Wizard and Button-Bright also slept out of doors, and so did the Cowardly Lion and Hank the Mule But Scraps Sawhorse sleep at all, Woozy could stay awake for month if to, so these three sat in little group and talked together all night

darkness, the Cowardly Lion felt shaggy little form nestling beside his own, and sleepily, "Where did you come from, Toto ? "

"From home," said the dog " roll over, roll the other way so you won't smash me "

"Does Dorothy know here ? " asked the Lion

"I believe not," admitted Toto, and he added little anxiously, " , friend Lion, now far enough Emerald City to risk showing myself, or will Dorothy send me back because I wasn't invited ? "

"Only Dorothy can answer that question," said the Lion " part, Toto, I consider this affair none business, so act as best " Then the huge beast went to sleep again, and Toto snuggled closer warm, hairy body and also slept wise little dog way, and didn't intend to worry when something much better

morning the Wizard built fire, over which the girls cooked breakfast Suddenly Dorothy discovered Toto sitting quietly fire, little girl exclaimed, "Goodness me, Toto ! Where did YOU come from ? "

" place you cruelly left me," replied the dog in reproachful tone

"I forgot all about you," admitted Dorothy, "and if I hadn't, I'd prob'ly left you with Jellia Jamb, seeing this isn't pleasure trip but stric'ly business But now that you're here, Toto, I s'pose you'll have to stay , unless you'd rather go back again get ourselves into trouble before we're done, Toto "

"Never mind that," said Toto, wagging his tail "I'm hungry, Dorothy "

"Breakfas'll soon be ready, and then your share," promised his little mistress, who was really her dog with her She and Toto had traveled together before, and she knew good and faithful comrade

food was cooked and served, the girls invited the old shepherd to join them morning meal He willingly consented, and while they ate , " now about through very dangerous country, unless you turn north or south to escape its perils "

" case," said the Cowardly Lion, " turn, by all means, for I dread dangers of any sort "

"What's the matter country ahead of us ? " inquired Dorothy

"Beyond this Rolling Prairie," explained the shepherd, "are the Merry-Go-Round Mountains, set close together and surrounded by deep gulfs no one is able past them Beyond the Merry-Go-Round Mountains said the Thistle-Eaters Herkus live "

" they like ? " demanded Dorothy

"No one knows, for no one has ever passed the Merry-Go-Round Mountains," reply, "but said Thistle-Eaters hitch dragons chariots and Herkus are waited upon by giants whom conquered and made their slaves "

"Who says all that ? " asked Betsy