4 Conspirators

Kiki Aru didn't know much about Oz and didn't know much beasts who lived there, but the old Nome's plan seemed to him quite reasonable He had faint suspicion that Ruggedo meant the best of him in some way, and he resolved close watch fellow-conspirator As long as he kept to himself the secret word transformations, Ruggedo dare to harm him, and he promised himself that they had conquered Oz, transform the old Nome into marble statue and keep him form forever

Ruggedo, part, decided that , by careful watching and listening, surprise the boy's secret, and when he had learned the magic word transform Kiki Aru into bundle of faggots and burn him up and so be rid of him

always the way with wicked people trusted even by one another Ruggedo thought fooling Kiki, and Kiki thought fooling Ruggedo; so both were pleased

"It's long way across the Desert," remarked the boy, " sands are hot and send up poisonous vapors wait until evening and then fly across night when cooler "

The former Nome King agreed , two spent the rest day in talking over their plans When evening came they paid the inn-keeper and walked out to little grove of trees that stood near by

"Remain here and I'll soon be back," said Kiki, and walking swiftly away, he left the Nome standing grove Ruggedo wondered where he had gone, but stood quietly place until, all of sudden, his form changed of great eagle, and he uttered piercing cry of astonishment and flapped his wings in sort of panic At once his eagle cry was answered from beyond the grove, and another eagle, even larger and more powerful transformed Ruggedo, came sailing trees and alighted beside him

"Now ready start," said the voice of Kiki, coming eagle

Ruggedo realized time he outwitted He had thought Kiki would utter the magic word presence, and so learn what , but the boy too shrewd

two eagles mounted high air and began their flight across the great Desert that separates the Land of Oz from all the rest world, the Nome said:

"When King Nomes I had magic way of working transformations that was good, but it compare with your secret word I had certain tools and make passes and say lot of mystic words before transform anybody "

"What became of your magic tools ? " inquired Kiki

"The Oz people took them all away from me--that horrid girl, Dorothy, terrible fairy, Ozma, the Ruler of Oz-- they took away my underground kingdom and kicked me upstairs cold, heartless world "

"Why did you let them ? " asked the boy

"Well," said Ruggedo, "I couldn't help it They rolled eggs at me--EGGS--dreadful eggs ! --and if an egg even touches Nome, ruined for life "

"Is any kind of an egg dangerous to Nome ? "

"Any kind and every kind An egg is I'm afraid of "

5 Happy Corner of Oz

no other country so beautiful Land of Oz no other people so happy and contented and prosperous Oz people all they desire; they love and admire their beautiful girl Ruler, Ozma of Oz, mix work and play so justly that both are delightful and satisfying and no one has any reason to complain Once in while something happens in Oz to disturb the people's happiness for brief time, for so rich and attractive fairyland is sure few selfish and greedy outsiders envious, and therefore certain evil-doers have treacherously plotted to conquer Oz and enslave its people and destroy its girl Ruler, and so gain the wealth of Oz for themselves But time cruel and crafty Nome, Ruggedo, conspired with Kiki Aru, the Hyup, all such attempts had failed The Oz people suspected no danger Life 's nicest fairyland was one round of joyous, happy days

center Emerald City of Oz, the capital city of Ozma's dominions, is vast and beautiful garden, surrounded by wall inlaid with shining emeralds, and center garden stands Ozma's Royal Palace, the most splendid building ever constructed From hundred towers and domes floated the banners of Oz, which included the Ozmies, the Munchkins, the Gillikins, the Winkies Quadlings The banner Munchkins is blue, that Winkies yellow; the Gillikin banner is purple, Quadling's banner is red The colors Emerald City are green Ozma's own banner has green center, divided into four quarters These quarters are colored blue, purple, yellow and red, indicating that she rules over all the countries Land of Oz

This fairyland is so big, however, that all of it known to its girl Ruler, and said that in some far parts country, in forests and mountain fastnesses, in hidden valleys and thick jungles, are people and beasts that know as little about Ozma as she knows Still, these unknown subjects nearly so numerous known inhabitants of Oz, who occupy all the countries near Emerald City Indeed, I'm sure long until all parts fairyland of Oz are explored and their peoples made acquainted with their Ruler, for in Ozma's palace are several of her friends so curious constantly discovering new and extraordinary places and inhabitants

frequent discoverers hidden places in Oz is little Kansas girl named Dorothy, Ozma's dearest friend and lives in luxurious rooms Royal Palace Dorothy is, indeed, Princess of Oz, but she like called princess, and because simple and sweet and pretend anything but an ordinary little girl, called just "Dorothy" by everybody and most popular person, next to Ozma, in all the Land of Oz

One morning Dorothy crossed the hall palace and knocked door of another girl named Trot, also guest and friend of Ozma When told to enter, Dorothy found that Trot had company, an old sailor-man with one wooden leg and one meat leg, who was sitting open window puffing smoke from corn-cob pipe This sailor-man was named Cap'n Bill, and he had accompanied Trot Land of Oz and was her oldest and most faithful comrade and friend Dorothy liked Cap'n Bill, too, and after she had greeted him, she said to Trot:

" , Ozma's birthday is , and I've been wondering what give here as birthday present She's so good all that we certainly ought to remember her birthday "

"That's true," agreed Trot "I've been wondering, too, what give Ozma It's pretty hard to decide, 'cause she's got already all she wants, and as she's fairy and knows lot about magic, satisfy any wish "

" ," returned Dorothy, "but that isn't the point It isn't that Ozma NEEDS anything, but please her we've remembered her birthday But what shall her ? "

Trot shook her head in despair

"I've tried and 't," she declared

"It's the same way with me," said Dorothy

" that 'ud please her," remarked Cap'n Bill, turning his round face with its fringe of whiskers toward the two girls and staring at them big, light-blue eyes wide open

" it, Cap'n Bill ? "

"It's an Enchanted Flower," said he "It's pretty plant that stands in golden flower-pot an' grows all sorts o' flowers, one after another One minute fine rose buds an' blooms, an' then tulip, an' next chrys--chrys--"

"--anthemum," said Dorothy, helping him

"That's it; and next dahlia, an' then daffydil, an' on all range o' posies Jus' one fades away, another comes, of different sort, an' the perfume from 'em is mighty snifty, an' they keeps bloomin' night and day, year in an' year out "

"That's wonderful ! " exclaimed Dorothy " Ozma would like it "

"But where Magic Flower, and how can we get it ? " asked Trot

"Dun'no, zac'ly," slowly replied Cap'n Bill "The Glass Cat tol' me only yesterday, an' said in some lonely place up nor'east o' here The Glass Cat goes travelin' all around Oz, , an' the little critter sees lot o' things no one else does "

"That's true," said Dorothy, thoughtfully "Northeast of here Munchkin Country, and perhaps good way off, so let's Glass Cat us how Magic Flower "

So the two girls, with Cap'n Bill stumping along wooden leg after them, went out garden, and after spent in searching, they found the Glass Cat curled up sunshine beside bush, fast sleep

The Glass Cat is curious creatures in all Oz It by famous magician named Dr Pipt before Ozma had forbidden her subjects to work magic Dr Pipt had made the Glass Cat to catch mice, but the Cat refused to catch mice and was considered more curious than useful

This astonished cat all of glass and was so clear and transparent that through it as easily as through window top head, however, was mass of delicate pink balls which looked like jewels but were intended for brains It had heart made of blood-red ruby The eyes were two large emeralds But, aside colors, all the rest animal was of clear glass, and it had spun-glass tail that was really beautiful

"Here, wake up," said Cap'n Bill " "

Slowly the Glass Cat got upon its feed, yawned and then looked three who stood before it

"How dare you disturb me ? " it asked in peevish voice "You ashamed of yourselves "

"Never mind that," returned the Sailor " remember tellin' me yesterday 'bout Magic Flower in Gold Pot ? "

" I'm fool ? Look at my brains--you 'em work I remember ! " said the cat

"Well, where can it ? "

" 't It's none of your business, anyhow Go away and let me sleep," advised the Glass Cat