"On my word, your Majesty," , "this being man is more fun than being Unicorn "

"You look like fool," said the Gray Ape

"Well, fine ! " declared the man-beast

" I prefer Bear," said Big Bru " born Bear, and Bear's ways So satisfied to live as Bear lives "

"That," said the old Nome, "is because nothing better When conquered the Oz people, and you become man, you'll of it "

The immense Leopard rested his chin log and seemed thoughtful

"The beasts forest must decide for themselves," "Go you, Rango the Gray Ape, and tell your monkey tribe to order all the forest beasts to assemble Great Clearing at sunrise to-morrow When all are gathered together, this mixed-up Beast magician shall talk and tell them what he has told us Then, decide to fight the Oz people, declared war on us, lead the beasts to battle "

Rango the Gray Ape turned at once and glided swiftly forest mission The Bear gave grunt and walked away Gugu the King rose and stretched himself Then to Ruggedo: "Meet us at sunrise to-morrow," and with stately stride vanished trees

The man-unicorn, left alone strangers, suddenly stopped his foolish prancing

"You'd better make me Unicorn again," "I like being man, but the forest beasts won't know I'm their friend, Loo, and tear me in pieces before morning "

So Kiki changed him back former shape, Unicorn departed to join his people

Ruggedo the Nome was much pleased success

"To-morrow," to Kiki Aru, "we'll win over these beasts and set them to fight and conquer the Oz people Then my revenge on Ozma and Dorothy and all the rest enemies "

"But doing all the work," said Kiki

"Never mind; you're going King of Oz," promised Ruggedo

"Will the big Leopard let me be King ? " asked the boy anxiously

The Nome came close to him and whispered:

"If Gugu the Leopard opposes us, transform him into tree, and then helpless "

" ," agreed Kiki, and to himself: " also transform this deceitful Nome into tree, for he lies and trust him "

9 The Isle Magic Flower

The Glass Cat was good guide and led Trot and Cap'n Bill by straight and easy paths through all the settled part Munchkin Country, and then north section where there were few houses, and finally through wild country where there were no houses or paths at all But the walking was not difficult and at last they came edge of forest and stopped there camp and sleep until morning

From branches of trees Cap'n Bill made tiny house that was just big enough little girl to crawl into and lie down But first they ate food Trot had carried basket

"Don't some, too ? " she asked the Glass Cat

"No," answered the creature

"I suppose you'll hunt around an' catch mouse," remarked Cap'n Bill

"Me ? Catch mouse ! Why should I ? " inquired the Glass Cat

"Why, then eat it," said the sailor-man

"I beg to inform you," returned the crystal tabby, "that eat mice Being transparent, so anyone through me, I'd look nice, wouldn't I, with common mouse inside me ? But the fact I haven't any stomach or other machinery permit me to eat things The careless magician me didn't think I'd need to eat, I suppose "

"Don't you ever get hungry or thirsty ? " asked Trot

"Never I don't complain, , way I'm made, for I've never yet seen any living thing as beautiful as the handsomest brains They're pink, and you 'em work "

"I wonder," said Trot thoughtfully, as she ate her bread and jam, " brains whirl around same way yours do "

"No; not the same way, surely," returned the Glass Cat; "for, case, they'd be as good as MY brains, except 're hidden under thick, boney skull "

"Brains," remarked Cap'n Bill, "is of all kinds and work different ways But I've noticed that them as thinks that their brains is best is often mistook "

Trot was little disturbed by sounds forest, that night, for many beasts seemed prowling trees, but she was confident Cap'n Bill would protect her from harm And , no beast ventured forest to attack them

At daybreak they were up again, and after simple breakfast Cap'n Bill said Glass Cat:

"Up anchor, Mate, and let's forge ahead I don't suppose we're far Magic Flower, are we ? "

"Not far," answered the transparent one, as it led the way forest, "but it may take you "

Before long they reached the bank of river not very wide, place, but followed the banks in northerly direction it gradually broadened

Suddenly the blue-green leaves trees changed to purple hue, and Trot noticed this and said:

"I wonder what made the colors change like that ? "

"It's because left the Munchkin Country and entered the Gillikin Country," explained the Glass Cat "Also it's sign our journey is nearly ended "

The river made sudden turn, and travelers had passed around the bend, they saw stream had now become as broad as small lake, and center Lake they beheld little island, not more than fifty feet in extent, either way Something glittered middle tiny island, Glass Cat paused bank and said:

" the gold flower-pot containing the Magic Flower, very curious and beautiful If island, your task is ended--except to carry the thing home "

Cap'n Bill looked broad expanse of water and began to whistle low, quavering tune Trot knew whistle meant that Cap'n Bill was thinking, old sailor didn't look island as he looked trees bank where they stood Presently big pocket coat an axe-blade, wound in an old cloth the sharp edge from cutting his clothing Then, with large pocket knife, he cut small limb from tree and whittled it into handle axe

"Sit down, Trot," he advised the girl, as he worked "I've got quite job ahead of me now, for I've got to build us raft "

"What do raft for, Cap'n ? "

"Why, us island 't walk under water, river bed, Glass Cat did, so float atop the water "

" make raft, Cap'n Bill ? "

"O' course, Trot, me time "

The little girl sat down on log and gazed Island Magic Flower Nothing else seemed to grow tiny isle no tree, no shrub, no grass, even, as far as make out distance But the gold pot glittered rays sun, and Trot could catch glimpses of glowing colors above it, Magic Flower changed from one sort to another

"When here before," remarked the Glass Cat, lazily reclining girl's feet, " two Kalidahs very bank, where they had come to drink "

" Kalidahs ? " asked the girl

"The most powerful and ferocious beasts in all Oz This forest is their especial home, and so few other beasts found except monkeys The monkeys are spry enough way fierce Kalidahs, which attack all other animals and often fight among themselves "

"Did they try to fight you saw 'em ? " asked Trot, getting excited

"Yes They sprang upon me in an instant; but I lay flat ground, so I wouldn't get my legs broken great weight beasts, and tried to bite me I laughed at them and jeered them until they were frantic with rage, for they nearly broke their teeth on my hard glass So, after time, they discovered hurt me, and went away great fun "

" they don't come here again to drink,--not while we're here, anyhow," returned the girl, "for I'm not made of glass, nor is Cap'n Bill, and if those bad beasts bit us, we'd get hurt "

Cap'n Bill was cutting trees some long stakes, making them sharp at one end and leaving crotch other end These were to bind the logs raft together He had fashioned several and was just finishing another Glass Cat cried: "Look out ! There's Kalidah coming toward us "

Trot jumped up, greatly frightened, and looked terrible animal fascinated by its fierce eyes, Kalidah was looking at her, too, and its look wasn't at all friendly But Cap'n Bill called to her: "Wade river, Trot, your knees--an' stay there ! " and she obeyed him at once The sailor-man hobbled forward, the stake in one hand axe other, and got girl beast, which sprang upon him with growl of defiance