decision the Frogman was forced content, although sorry the Cookie Cook listen advice

CHAPTER 14

THE UNHAPPY FERRYMAN

Leaving the grove where they had slept, the Frogman Cookie Cook turned east to seek another house, and after short walk came to one where the people received them very politely The children stared rather hard big, pompous Frogman, but the woman house, when Cayke asked for something to eat, at once brought them food and said they were welcome "Few people in need of help pass ," she remarked, " Winkies are all prosperous and love to stay in their own homes But perhaps Winkie," she added

"No," said Cayke, " Yip, and my home is on high mountain southeast of your country "

" Frogman, is he also Yip ? "

" know what , very remarkable and highly educated creature," replied the Cookie Cook "But he has lived many years Yips, found him so wise and intelligent always go to him for advice "

"May I ask why left your home and where going ? " said the Winkie woman

Then Cayke told her diamond-studded gold dishpan and how it mysteriously stolen from her house, after which she had discovered that no longer cook good cookies So she had resolved to search until she found her dishpan again, because Cookie cook cook good cookies of much use The Frogman, who had wanted more world, had accompanied her to assist search woman had listened story, she asked, "Then no idea who has stolen your dishpan ? "

"I only know it must some mischievous fairy, or magician, or some such powerful person, because none other climbed the steep mountain Yip Country And who else carried away my beautiful magic dishpan without being seen ? "

The woman thought during the time that Cayke Frogman ate their breakfast had finished, she said, "Where going next ? "

" decided," answered the Cookie cook

"Our plan," explained the Frogman important way, "is to travel from place until we learn where the thief is located and then to force him to return the dishpan to its proper owner "

"The plan is all right," agreed the woman, "but it may take you succeed, your method being sort of haphazard and indefinite However, I advise you to travel toward the east "

"Why ? " asked the Frogman

"Because went west, soon come desert, and also because part Winkie Country no one steals, so your time here wasted But toward the east, beyond the river, live many strange people whose honesty vouch for Moreover, journey far enough east and cross the river for second time, come Emerald City, where much magic and sorcery The Emerald City is ruled by dear little girl called Ozma, who also rules the Emperor Winkies and all the Land of Oz So, as Ozma is fairy, she you just who has taken your precious dishpan Provided, , find it reach her "

"This excellent advice," said the Frogman, and Cayke agreed

"The most sensible thing ," continued the woman, " to return to your home and use another dishpan, learn to cook cookies as other people cook cookies, without the aid of magic But be happy without the magic dishpan lost, likely to learn more Emerald City than at place in Oz "

They thanked the good woman, and on leaving her house faced the east and continued direction all the way Toward evening they came west branch Winkie River and there, riverbank, found ferryman who lived all alone in little yellow house This ferryman was Winkie with head and very large body sitting doorway travelers approached him and even turn his head to look at them

"Good evening," said the Frogman

The ferryman made no reply

" like some supper privilege of sleeping in your house until morning," continued the Frogman "At daybreak, like some breakfast, and then like row us across the river "

The ferryman neither moved nor spoke He sat doorway and looked straight ahead " deaf and dumb," Cayke whispered to her companion Then she stood directly in front ferryman, and putting her mouth close ear, she yelled as loudly as , "Good evening ! "

The ferryman scowled

"Why yell at me, woman ? " he asked

" hear what ? " asked in her ordinary tone of voice

" ," replied the man

"Then why didn't you answer the Frogman ? " "Because," said the ferryman, "I don't understand the frog language "

"He speaks the same words that and same way," declared Cayke

"Perhaps," replied the ferryman, "but his voice sounded like frog's croak that Land of Oz animals can speak our language, and so can the birds and bugs and fishes; but in MY ears, they sound merely like growls and chirps and croaks "

"Why ? " asked the Cookie Cook in surprise

"Once, many , I cut the tail off fox which had taunted me, and I stole some birds' eggs from nest an omelet with, and also I pulled fish river and left it lying bank to gasp for lack of water until it died I don't know why those wicked things, but them So the Emperor Winkies-- the Tin Woodman and has very tender tin heart--punished me by denying me any communication with beasts, birds or fishes understand them speak , although that other people can , nor can the creatures understand word Every time I meet , reminded former cruelty, and it makes me very unhappy "

"Really," said Cayke, "I'm sorry , although the Tin Woodman to blame for punishing you "

" he mumbling about ? " asked the Frogman

" talking , but you don't understand him," she replied And then she told him ferryman's punishment and afterward explained ferryman wanted to stay all night and be fed them some fruit and bread, the only sort of food he had, and he allowed Cayke to sleep in room cottage But the Frogman he refused to admit house, saying frog's presence made him miserable and unhappy At no time would he directly Frogman, or even toward him, fearing shed tears if so; so the big frog slept riverbank where hear little frogs croaking river all the night through But that keep him awake; it merely soothed him to slumber, for he realized superior

Just sun was rising on new day, the ferryman rowed the two travelers across the river--keeping his back Frogman all the way--and then Cayke thanked him and bade him goodbye ferryman rowed home again

side river, there were no paths at all, so evident they had reached part country little frequented by travelers marsh south , sandhills north, and growth of scrubby underbrush leading toward forest east So the east was really the least difficult way , direction one they had determined

Now the Frogman, although he wore green patent-leather shoes with ruby buttons, had very large and flat feet, and when he tramped scrub, his weight crushed down the underbrush and made path for Cayke him Therefore they soon reached the forest, where the tall trees were set far apart but were so leafy shaded all the spaces with their branches " no bushes here," said Cayke, much pleased, "so now travel faster and with more comfort "

CHAPTER 15

THE BIG LAVENDER BEAR

pleasant place to wander, two travelers were proceeding at brisk pace when suddenly voice shouted, "Halt ! "