Saying this, it walked down water and disappeared under the surface Not being able to manage the raft alone, the Glass Cat walked bottom river as it had done when it visited the island before, and soon they saw it appear farther bank and trot forest, where quickly lost to sight trees

Then Trot heaved deep sigh

"Cap'n," said she, "we're in bad fix There's nothing here to eat, and 't even lie down to sleep Unless the Glass Cat hurries, Wizard hurries, I don't know what's going of us ! "

11 The Beasts Forest of Gugu

That was wonderful gathering of wild animals Forest of Gugu next sunrise Rango, the Gray Ape, had even called his monkey sentinels away forest edge, and every beast, little and big, was great clearing where meetings were held on occasions of great importance

center clearing stood great shelving rock, having flat, inclined surface, and sat the stately Leopard Gugu, who was King Forest ground beneath him squatted Bru the Bear, Loo the Unicorn, and Rango the Gray Ape, the King's three Counselors, and in front stood the two strange beasts who had called themselves Li-Mon-Eags, but were really the transformations of Ruggedo the Nome, and Kiki Aru the Hyup

Then came the beasts--rows and rows and rows ! The smallest beasts were nearest the King's rock throne; then there were wolves and foxes, lynxes and hyenas, like; behind them were gathered the monkey tribes, who were hard because they teased the other animals and were full of mischievous tricks Back monkeys were the pumas, jaguars, tigers and lions, and their kind; next the bears, all sizes and colors; after them bisons, wild asses, zebras and unicorns; farther rhinoceri and hippopotami, and far edge forest, close trees that shut clearing, was row of thick-skinned elephants, still as statues but with eyes bright and intelligent

kinds of beasts, too numerous to mention, were there, and some were unlike any beasts we see menageries and zoos country Some were mountains west forest, and some plains east, and some river; but all present acknowledged the leadership of Gugu, who for many years had ruled them wisely and forced all to obey the laws

beasts had taken their places clearing rising sun was shooting its first bright rays over the treetops, King Gugu rose throne The Leopard's giant form, towering above all the others, caused sudden hush assemblage

"Brothers," deep voice, "a stranger among us, beast of curious form great magician able the shapes of men or beasts at his will This stranger , with another kind, from sky, to warn us of danger which threatens us all, and to offer us way to escape danger our friend, and he has proved and to my Counselors his magic powers listen to what he has -- message he has brought sky ? "

"Let him speak ! " came in great roar great company of assembled beasts

So Ruggedo the Nome sprang flat rock beside Gugu the King, and another roar, gentle , showed how astonished the beasts were sight curious form His lion's face was surrounded by mane of pure white hair; his eagle's wings were attached shoulders monkey body and were nearly touched the ground; he had powerful arms and legs wings, and end long, strong tail was golden ball Never had any beast beheld such curious creature before, and so the very sight stranger, who was said great magician, filled all present with awe and wonder

Kiki stayed down below and, half hidden shelf of rock, was scarcely noticed The boy realized old Nome was helpless without his magic power, but he also realized that Ruggedo best talker So willing the Nome should lead

"Beasts Forest of Gugu," began Ruggedo the Nome, "my comrade and I are your friends magicians, and home sky look down Land of Oz everything going on Also hear what the people below us are saying how we heard Ozma, who rules the Land of Oz, say to her people: 'The beasts Forest of Gugu are lazy of no use go forest and make them all our prisoners tie them with ropes, and beat them with sticks, until they work and become our willing slaves ' And people heard Ozma of Oz say this, they were glad and raised great shout and said: ' ! beasts Forest of Gugu our slaves ! '"

The wicked old Nome no more, just then, for such fierce roar of anger rose multitude of beasts that his voice was drowned clamor Finally the roar died away, like distant thunder, and Ruggedo the Nome went on speech

"Having heard the Oz people plot against your liberty, we watched what do, and saw them all begin making ropes--ropes long and short-- to snare our friends the beasts angry, but we also were angry, for Oz people became the enemies beasts they also became our enemies; for we, too, are beasts, although we live sky And my comrade and : ' save our friends revenge Oz people,' and so we came here you of your danger and plan to save you "

" save ourselves," cried an old Elephant " fight "

"The Oz people are fairies, and 't fight against magic unless you also have magic," answered the Nome

"Tell us your plan ! " shouted the huge Tiger, other beasts echoed his words, crying: "Tell us your plan "

"My plan is simple," replied Ruggedo "By our magic transform all you animals into --like the Oz people--and transform all the Oz people into beasts then live fine houses Land of Oz, and eat the fine food Oz people, and wear their fine clothes, and sing and dance and be happy Oz people, having become beasts, to live here forest and hunt and fight for food, and often go hungry, now do, no place to sleep but bed of leaves or hole ground Having become , you beasts all the comforts , and having become beasts, the Oz people very miserable our plan, and agree , all march at once Land of Oz and quickly conquer our enemies "

stranger ceased speaking, great silence fell assemblage, beasts were thinking of what he had said Finally walruses asked:

" really transform beasts into men, and men into beasts ? "

" -- ! " cried Loo the Unicorn, prancing up and down in an excited manner "He transformed ME, only last evening, and transform us all "

Gugu the King now stepped forward

" heard the stranger speak," said he, "and now answer him to decide Shall we agree plan, or not ? "

"Yes ! " shouted animals

"No ! " shouted others

And some were yet silent

Gugu looked around the great circle

"Take more time ," he suggested "Your answer is no trouble Oz people, but proud and free, and never will become slaves Think carefully, and ready to answer, hear you "

12 Kiki Uses His Magic

Then arose great confusion of sounds as all the animals began talking fellows The monkeys chattered bears growled voices jaguars and lions rumbled, wolves yelped elephants had to trumpet loudly their voices heard Such hubbub had never been known forest before, and each beast argued neighbor until it seemed the noise would never cease

Ruggedo the Nome waved his arms and fluttered his wings them listen to him again, but the beasts paid no attention Some wanted to fight the Oz people, some wanted transformed, and some wanted nothing at all

The growling and confusion had grown greater than ever when in flash silence fell on all the beasts present, the arguments were hushed, and all gazed in astonishment at strange sight

For circle strode great Lion--bigger and more powerful than lion there--and back rode little girl who smiled fearlessly multitude of beasts And behind the Lion little girl came another beast--a monstrous Tiger, who bore upon his back funny little man carrying black bag Right past the rows of wondering beasts the strange animals walked, advancing until they stood just rock throne of Gugu

Then the little girl funny little man dismounted, great Lion demanded in loud voice:

" King forest ? "

" ! " answered Gugu, looking steadily other " Gugu the Leopard, and King forest "