heart he doubted this statement, for solitary peach tree, while all the other fruits grew upon many trees set close to one another; but that one luscious bite made him unable to resist eating the rest of it, and soon the peach was all gone except the pit Button-Bright was about to throw this peach pit away when he noticed of pure gold , this surprised him, but things Land of Oz were surprising that give much thought golden peach pit He put it pocket, however, to show girls, and five minutes afterward had forgotten all

For now he realized that far separated companions, and knowing that worry them and delay their journey, he began to shout as loud as His voice penetrate very far among all those trees, and after shouting dozen times and getting no answer, he sat down ground and said, "Well, I'm lost again It's too bad, but I don't see how it helped "

As he leaned his back against tree, he looked up and saw Bluefinch fly down sky and alight upon branch just before him The bird looked and looked at him First it looked with one bright eye and then turned its head and looked at him other eye Then, fluttering its wings little, it said, "Oho ! So you've eaten the enchanted peach, ? "

" enchanted ? " asked Button-Bright

" ," replied the Bluefinch "Ugu the Shoemaker did that "

"But why ? And how enchanted ? And happen to one who eats it ? " questioned the boy

"Ask Ugu the Shoemaker ," said the bird, preening its feathers with its bill

"And Ugu the Shoemaker ? "

"The one who enchanted the peach and placed it here-- exact center Great Orchard--so no one would ever find it We birds didn't dare to eat it; too wise But Button-Bright Emerald City, and you, YOU, YOU ate the enchanted peach !

explain to Ugu the Shoemaker why that " And then, boy could ask any more questions, the bird flew away and left him alone

Button-Bright was not much worried peach he had eaten was enchanted It certainly had tasted , stomach didn't ache bit So again he began to reflect best way to rejoin his friends "Whichever direction I follow is likely the wrong one," to himself, "so I'd better stay just where and let THEM find ME-- "

White Rabbit came hopping orchard and paused little way off to look at him "Don't be afraid," said Button-Bright "I won't hurt you "

"Oh, I'm not afraid ," returned the White Rabbit "It's you I'm worried about "

"Yes, I'm lost,' said the boy

" , indeed," answered the Rabbit "Why on earth did you eat the enchanted peach ? "

The boy looked excited little animal thoughtfully "There were two reasons," he explained "One reason I like peaches, other reason I didn't know enchanted "

"That won't save you from Ugu the Shoemaker," declared the White Rabbit, and it scurried away boy could ask any more questions

"Rabbits and birds," he thought, "are timid creatures and seem afraid shoemaker, whoever If another peach half as good other, I'd eat it of dozen enchantments or hundred shoemakers ! "

Just then, Scraps came dancing along and saw him sitting foot tree "Oh, here ! " she said " your old tricks, eh ? Don't it's impolite lost and keep everybody waiting ? Come along, and I'll lead you back to Dorothy others "

Button-Bright rose slowly to accompany her

"That wasn't much of loss," cheerfully "I haven't been gone half day, so there's no harm done "

Dorothy, however, boy rejoined the party, gave him good scolding "When we're doing such an important thing as searching for Ozma," said she, "it's naughty to wander away and keep us from getting on S'pose she's pris'ner in dungeon cell ! our dear Ozma there any longer than help ? "

"If she's in dungeon cell, how going her out ? " inquired the boy

"Never you mind We'll leave that Wizard He's sure way "

The Wizard said nothing, for he realized that without his magic tools do no more than person But no use reminding his companions fact; it might discourage them "The important thing just now," he remarked, "is Ozma, and as our party is again happily reunited, I propose we move on "

came edge Great Orchard, the sun was setting knew it would soon be dark So decided to camp under the trees, as another broad plain was before them The Wizard spread the blankets on bed of soft leaves, and presently all except Scraps Sawhorse were fast asleep Toto snuggled close friend the Lion, Woozy snored so loudly Patchwork Girl covered his square head with her apron to deaden the sound

CHAPTER 12

CZAROVER OF HERKU

Trot wakened just sun rose, and slipping blankets, went edge Great Orchard and looked across the plain Something glittered far distance "That looks like another city," she said half aloud

"And another city ," declared Scraps, who had crept to Trot's side unheard, for her stuffed feet made no sound "The Sawhorse and journey dark while you were all asleep, and over there bigger city than Thi There's wall around it, too, but it has gates and plenty of pathways "

"Did you get in ? " asked Trot

"No, gates were locked wall was real wall So we came back here again It isn't far city reach it in two hours after you've had your breakfasts "

Trot went back, and finding the other girls now awake, told them what Scraps had said So they hurriedly ate some fruit--there were plenty of plums and fijoas part orchard--and then they mounted the animals and set out journey strange city Hank the Mule had breakfasted on grass, Lion had stolen away and found breakfast liking; he never told what , but Dorothy hoped the little rabbits field mice had kept out way She warned Toto not to chase birds and gave the dog some apple, quite content The Woozy was as fond of fruit as of food except honey, Sawhorse never ate at all

Except for their worry over Ozma, they were all in good spirits proceeded swiftly over the plain Toto still worried over his lost growl, but like wise little dog kept his worry to himself Before long, the city grew nearer and examine it with interest

In outward appearance the place was more imposing than Thi, and square city, with square, four-sided wall around it, and on each side was square gate of burnished copper Everything city looked solid and substantial; there were no banners flying, towers that rose above the city wall seemed bare of any ornament whatever

path led fruit orchard directly to city gates, showing inhabitants preferred fruit to thistles Our friends followed this path gate, which they found fast shut But the Wizard advanced and pounded upon it fist, saying in loud voice, "Open ! "

At once there rose above the great wall row of immense heads, all looked down at them who was intruding The size heads was astonishing, friends at once realized belonged to giants who were standing city All had thick, bushy hair and whiskers, on some the hair being white and on others black or red or yellow, while the hair of few was just turning gray, showing giants were of all ages However fierce the heads might seem, the eyes were mild in expression, as creatures long subdued, and their faces expressed patience rather than ferocity

"What's wanted ? " asked one old giant in low, grumbling voice

" strangers, and to enter the city," replied the Wizard

" come in war or peace ? " asked another

"In peace, ," retorted the Wizard, and he added impatiently, "Do we look like an army of conquest ? "

"No," said the first giant who had spoken, "you look like innocent tramps; but you never can tell by appearances Wait here until we report to our masters No one can enter here without the permission of Vig, the Czarover "

"Who's that ? " inquired Dorothy

But the heads had all bobbed down and disappeared behind the walls, so no answer They waited gate rolled back with rumbling sound, and loud voice cried, "Enter ! " But they lost no time in taking advantage invitation

On either side broad street that led city gate stood row of huge giants, twenty on side and all standing so close together that their elbows touched They wore uniforms of blue and yellow and were armed with clubs as big around as treetrunks Each giant had around his neck broad band of gold, riveted on, to show slave