Then he laughed and said half aloud: "I suppose that's the funny sound this sort of bird makes But now let me try my wings if I'm strong enough to fly across the desert "

For he had decided his first trip country outside the Land of Oz He had stolen this secret of transformation and he had disobeyed the law of Oz by working magic Perhaps Glinda or the Wizard of Oz would discover him and punish him, so it good policy away from Oz altogether

Slowly Kiki rose air, and resting broad wings, floated in graceful circles above the saucer-shaped mountain-top height, he , far across the burning sands Deadly Desert, another country that pleasant to explore, so he headed that way, and with strong, steady strokes wings, began the long flight

2 The Hawk

Even hawk fly high to cross the Deadly Desert, poisonous fumes are constantly rising Kiki Aru felt sick and faint he reached good land again, for quite escape the effects poisons But the fresh air soon restored him and he alighted in broad table-land called Hiland Just beyond valley known as Loland, and these two countries are ruled Gingerbread Man, John Dough, with Chick the Cherub as his Prime Minister The hawk merely stopped here long enough to rest, and then he flew north and passed over fine country called Merryland, ruled by lovely Wax Doll Then, following the curve Desert, he turned north and settled on tree-top Kingdom of Noland

Kiki was tired , sun was now setting, so he decided to remain here till morning tree-top he house near by, which looked very comfortable man was milking cow yard and pleasant-faced woman came door and called him to supper

That made Kiki wonder what sort of food hawks ate hungry, but didn't know what to eat or where it Also he thought bed more comfortable than tree-top for sleeping, so he hopped ground and said: " Kiki Aru again--Pyrzqxgl ! "

Instantly he had resumed his natural shape, and going house, he knocked door and asked for some supper

"Who ? " asked the man house

"A stranger Land of Oz," replied Kiki Aru

"Then welcome," said the man

Kiki was given good supper and good bed, and he behaved , although he refused to answer all the questions the good people of Noland asked him Having escaped home and found way the world, the young man was no longer unhappy, and so no longer cross and disagreeable The people thought him very respectable person and gave him breakfast next morning, after which he started way feeling quite contented

Having walked for an hour or two pretty country ruled by King Bud, Kiki Aru decided travel faster more as bird, so he transformed himself into white dove and visited the great city of Nole and saw the King's palace and gardens and places of interest Then he flew westward Kingdom of Ix, and after day in Queen Zixi's country went on westward Land of Ev Every place he visited he thought was much more pleasant saucer-country Hyups, and he decided that when he reached the finest country of all settle there and enjoy his future life utmost

land of Ev he resumed his own shape again, cities and villages were close together and easily go on foot from one to another

Toward evening to good Inn and asked the inn-keeper if he food and lodging

" the money ," said the man, "otherwise go elsewhere "

This surprised Kiki, for Land of Oz use money at all, everyone being allowed what he wishes without price He had no money, therefore, and so he turned away to seek hospitality elsewhere Looking through an open window into rooms Inn, as he passed along, an old man counting on table big heap of gold pieces, which Kiki thought money would buy him supper and bed, he reflected, so he transformed himself into magpie and, flying open window, caught up gold pieces beak and flew out again old man could interfere Indeed, the old man who was robbed was quite helpless, for he dared not leave his pile of gold to chase the magpie, and before place the gold in sack pocket the robber bird was out of sight and to seek it folly

Kiki Aru flew to group of trees and, dropping the gold piece ground, resumed his proper shape, and then picked up the money and put it pocket

"You'll be sorry ! " exclaimed small voice just over his head

Kiki looked up and saw that sparrow, perched upon branch, was watching him

"Sorry for what ? " he demanded

"Oh, the whole thing," asserted the sparrow " you look window gold, and then make yourself into magpie and rob the poor man, and then you fly here and bird into your former shape That's magic, and magic is wicked and unlawful; and you stole money, 's still greater crime You'll be sorry, some day "

"I don't care," replied Kiki Aru, scowling

"Aren't you afraid wicked ? " asked the sparrow

"No, I didn't know being wicked," said Kiki, "but if , I'm glad of it I hate good people I've always wanted wicked, but I didn't know how "

"Haw, haw, haw ! " laughed someone behind him, in big voice; "that's the proper spirit, my lad ! I'm glad I've met you; shake hands "

The sparrow gave frightened squeak and flew away

3 Two Bad Ones

Kiki turned around and saw queer old man standing near He didn't stand straight, for crooked He had fat body and thin legs and arms He had big, round face with bushy, white whiskers that came to point below his waist, and white hair that came to point on top head He wore dull-gray clothes that were tight fitting, pockets were all bunched out stuffed full of something

"I didn't know you were here," said Kiki

"I didn't come until after ," said the queer old man

"Who ? " asked Kiki

"My name's Ruggedo I used the Nome King; but I got kicked out country, and now I'm wanderer "

"What made them kick you out ? " inquired the Hyup boy

"Well, it's the fashion to kick kings nowadays pretty good King--to myself--but those dreadful Oz people wouldn't let me alone So I had to abdicate "

"What does that mean ? "

"It means kicked out But let's talk about something pleasant Who and where did you come from ? "

"I'm called Kiki Aru I used to live on Mount Munch Land of Oz, but now I'm wanderer like yourself "

The Nome King gave him shrewd look

"I heard that bird say that you transformed yourself into magpie and back again true ? "

Kiki hesitated, but saw no reason to deny it would make him appear more important

"Well--yes,"

"Then you're wizard ? "

"No; I only understand transformations," he admitted

"Well, that's pretty good magic, anyhow," declared old Ruggedo "I used some very fine magic, myself, but my enemies took it all away from me Where going now ? "

"I'm going inn, some supper and bed," said Kiki

" the money ? " asked the Nome

" one gold piece "

"Which you stole And you're glad that you're wicked Better yet I like you, young man, and I'll go inn 'll promise not to eat eggs for supper "

"Don't you like eggs ? " asked Kiki

"I'm afraid of 'em; they're dangerous ! " said Ruggedo, with shudder

"All right," agreed Kiki; "I won't ask for eggs "

"Then come along," said the Nome

entered the inn, the landlord scowled at Kiki and said:

" you feed you unless you had money "

Kiki showed him the gold piece

"And how about you ? " asked the landlord, turning to Ruggedo " money ? "

"I've something better," answered the old Nome, and taking bag from one pockets he poured table mass of glittering gems--diamonds, rubies and emeralds

The landlord was very polite strangers He served them an excellent supper, and while they ate it, the Hyup boy asked his companion:

"Where did you get jewels ? "

"Well, I'll tell you," answered the Nome " Oz people took my kingdom away from me--just because my kingdom and to run it to suit myself-- they said take precious stones as carry So I had lot of pockets made in my clothes and loaded them all up Jewels are fine things travel; trade them for anything "

"Are they better than gold pieces ? " asked Kiki