"Tell your mistress that find Mombi anywhere, but that Glinda is welcome to enter the

254 city and search herself old woman She may also bring her friends with her, if she likes; but if she find Mombi by sundown, the Sorceress must promise away peaceably and bother us no more "

Glinda agreed terms, well knowing that Mombi was somewhere city walls So Jinjur caused the gates thrown open, and Glinda marched in head of company of soldiers, followed Scarecrow Tin Woodman, while Jack Pumpkinhead rode astride the Saw-Horse, Educated, Highly Magnified Woggle-Bug sauntered behind in dignified manner Tip walked side Sorceress, for Glinda had conceived great liking boy

old Mombi had no intention of being found by Glinda; so, while her enemies were marching up the street, the witch transformed herself into red rose growing upon bush garden palace clever idea, and trick Glinda suspect; so several precious hours were spent in vain search for Mombi

As sundown approached the Sorceress realized she defeated superior cunning aged witch; so she gave the command to her people to march city and back tents

The Scarecrow comrades happened

255 searching garden palace just then, turned with disappointment to obey Glinda's command But left the garden the Tin Woodman, who was fond of flowers, chanced to espy big red rose growing upon bush; so he plucked the flower and fastened it securely tin buttonhole tin bosom

As this he fancied he heard low moan proceed rose; but he paid no attention sound, and Mombi was thus carried city and into Glinda's camp without anyone having suspicion had succeeded in their quest

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256 The Transformation of Old Mombi

The Witch was at first frightened at finding herself captured enemy; but soon she decided that she was exactly as safe Tin Woodman's button-hole as growing bush For no one knew the rose and Mombi one, and now that she was without the gates City her chances of escaping altogether from Glinda were much improved

"But no hurry," thought Mombi " wait awhile and enjoy the humiliation Sorceress when she finds outwitted her " So night the rose lay quietly Woodman's bosom, and morning, when Glinda summoned our friends to consultation, Nick Chopper carried his pretty flower white silk tent

257 Line-Art Drawing

"For some reason," said Glinda, " failed this cunning old Mombi; so our expedition will prove failure And sorry, because without our assistance little Ozma will never be rescued and restored to her rightful position as Queen Emerald City"

" give up so easily," said the Pumpkinhead " do something else "

"Something else must really ," replied Glinda, with smile "yet understand how defeated so easily by an old Witch who knows far less of magic than myself "

"While ground I believe it wise to conquer the Emerald City for Princess Ozma, and find the girl afterward," said the Scarecrow " And while the girl remains hidden gladly rule in her place, for I understand the business of ruling much better than Jinjur does "

258

"But promised not to molest Jinjur," objected Glinda

"Suppose you all return with me to my kingdom -- or Empire, rather," said the Tin Woodman, politely including the entire party in royal wave arm " great pleasure to entertain you in my castle, where room enough and to spare And if any of you wish nickel- plated, my valet will free of all expense "

While the Woodman was speaking Glinda's eyes noting the rose button-hole, and now she imagined she saw the big red leaves flower tremble slightly This quickly aroused her suspicions, and in moment more the Sorceress had decided seeming rose was nothing else than transformation of old Mombi same instant Mombi knew she was discovered and must quickly plan an escape, and as transformations were easy to her she immediately took the form of Shadow and glided along the wall tent toward the entrance, thinking thus to disappear

But Glinda had equal cunning, but far more experience Witch So the Sorceress reached the opening tent Shadow, and with wave of her hand closed the entrance so securely that Mombi find crack big

259 enough to creep through The Scarecrow friends were greatly surprised at Glinda's actions; for had noted the Shadow But the Sorceress said :

"Remain perfectly quiet, all of you ! old Witch is even now tent, and to capture her "

These words so alarmed Mombi that she quickly transformed herself from shadow to Black Ant, shape she crawled along the ground, seeking crack or crevice to hide her tiny body

Fortunately, the ground where the tent pitched, being Just city gates, was hard and smooth; and while the Ant still crawled about, Glinda discovered it and ran quickly forward to effect its capture But, Just as her hand was descending, the Witch, now fairly frantic with fear, made her last transformation, and form of huge Griffin sprang wall tent -- tearing the silk asunder in her rush -- and in moment had darted away speed of whirlwind

Glinda hesitate She sprang back Saw-Horse and cried:

"Now you shall prove that right alive ! Run -- run -- run ! "

The Saw-Horse ran Like flash he followed the

260 Griffin, his wooden legs moving so fast twinkled like the rays of star Before our friends could recover from their surprise both the Griffin Saw-Horse had dashed out of sight

"Come ! follow ! " cried the Scarecrow

They ran place where the Gump was lying and quickly tumbled aboard

"Fly ! " commanded Tip, eagerly

"Where to ? " asked the Gump, in its calm voice

"I don't know," returned Tip, who was very nervous delay; "but mount air discover Glinda has gone "

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261

" ," returned the Gump, quietly; and it spread its great wings and mounted high air

Far away, across the meadows, now see two tiny specks, speeding one other; knew these specks the Griffin Saw-Horse So Tip called the Gump's attention and bade the creature try to overtake the Witch Sorceress But, swift as Gump's flight, the pursued and pursuer moved more swiftly yet, and within were blotted out against the dim horizon

" continue them, nevertheless," said the Scarecrow " Land of Oz is of small extent, and sooner or later both come to halt "

Old Mombi had thought herself very wise the form of Griffin, for its legs were exceedingly fleet and its strength more enduring than that of other animals But she reckoned untiring energy Saw- Horse, whose wooden limbs could run for days without slacking their speed Therefore, after an hour's hard running, the Griffin's breath began to fail, and it panted and gasped painfully, and moved more slowly than before Then it reached the edge desert and began racing across the deep sands But its tired feet sank far

262 sand, and the Griffin fell forward, completely exhausted, and lay still desert waste

Glinda came up moment later, riding the still vigorous Saw-Horse; and having unwound slender golden thread from her girdle the Sorceress threw it over the head panting and helpless Griffin, and so destroyed the magical power of Mombi's transformation

animal, with one fierce shudder, disappeared from view, while in its place was discovered the form old Witch, glaring savagely serene and beautiful face Sorceress

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263 Full page line-art drawing

264 Princess Ozma of Oz

" my prisoner, and useless to struggle any longer," said Glinda, in her soft, sweet voice "Lie still moment, and rest yourself, and then carry you back to my tent "

"Why seek me ? " asked Mombi, still scarce able plainly for lack of breath "What have I done , so persecuted ? "

"You nothing ," answered the gentle Sorceress; "but I suspect guilty of several wicked actions; and if true that so abused your knowledge of magic, I intend to punish you severely "

"I defy you ! " croaked the old hag "You dare not harm me ! "

Just then the Gump flew up and alighted desert sands beside Glinda Our friends

265 were delighted that Mombi had finally been captured, and after hurried consultation decided they should all return camp Gump So the Saw-Horse was tossed aboard, and then Glinda still holding an end golden thread that was around Mombi's neck, forced her prisoner to climb sofas The others now followed, and Tip gave the word Gump to return

The Journey in safety, Mombi sitting in her place with grim and sullen air; old hag was absolutely helpless magical thread encircled her throat The army hailed Glinda's return with loud cheers, party of friends soon gathered again royal tent, which neatly repaired during their absence

"Now," said the Sorceress to Mombi, " you us why the Wonderful Wizard of Oz paid you three visits, and what became child, Ozma, which so curiously disappeared "

The Witch looked at Glinda defiantly, but said not word

"Answer me ! " cried the Sorceress

But still Mombi remained silent

"Perhaps she doesn't know," remarked Jack