"The furnaces may also melt my tin," said the Tin Woodman; "but going "

" 't bear heat," remarked the Princess Langwidere, yawning lazily, "so stay at home But success in your undertaking, for heartily tired of ruling this stupid kingdom, and more leisure to admire my beautiful heads "

" need you," said Ozma "For, if aid brave followers accomplish my purpose, then it useless to undertake the journey "

"Quite true," sighed the Princess "So, 'll excuse me, now retire to my cabinet I've worn this head quite awhile, and it for another "

When she had left them (and no one was sorry her go) Ozma said to Tiktok:

" join our party ? "

" the slave girl Dor-oth-y, who rescued me from pris-on," replied the machine "Where she goes go "

"Oh, going with my friends, ," said Dorothy, quickly "I wouldn't miss the fun for anything go, too, Billina ? "

" ," said Billina in careless tone She was smoothing down the feathers of her back and not paying much attention

"Heat is just in her line," remarked the Scarecrow "If nicely roasted, she better than ever "

"Then" said Ozma, " arrange to start Kingdom Nomes at daybreak tomorrow And, meantime, rest and prepare ourselves journey "

Although Princess Langwidere again appear to her guests, the palace servants waited strangers from Oz and did everything in their power to party comfortable There were many vacant rooms at their disposal, brave Army of twenty-seven was easily provided for and liberally feasted

The Cowardly Lion Hungry Tiger were unharnessed chariot and allowed to roam at will palace, where they nearly frightened the servants into fits, although no harm at all At Dorothy found the little maid Nanda crouching in terror in corner, Hungry Tiger standing before her

"You certainly look delicious," the beast was saying " kindly permission to eat you ? "

"No, no, no ! " cried the maid in reply

"Then," said the Tiger, yawning frightfully, "please me about thirty pounds of tenderloin steak, cooked rare, with peck of boiled potatoes side, and five gallons of ice-cream for dessert "

"I--I'll best ! " said Nanda, and she ran away as fast as go

" so very hungry ? " asked Dorothy, in wonder

" hardly imagine the size appetite," replied the Tiger, sadly "It seems my whole body, end throat tip tail very sure the appetite doesn't fit me, too large size body Some day, when I meet dentist with pair of forceps, I'm going it pulled "

"What, your tooth ? " asked Dorothy

"No, my appetite," said the Hungry Tiger

The little girl spent most afternoon talking Scarecrow Tin Woodman, who related to her all that had taken place Land of Oz since Dorothy had left it She was much interested story of Ozma, who , when baby, stolen by wicked old witch and transformed into boy She know that she had ever been girl until she was restored to her natural form by kind sorceress Then found that she only child former Ruler of Oz, and was entitled to rule place Ozma had many adventures, however, before she regained her father's throne, and she was accompanied by pumpkin-headed man, highly magnified and thoroughly educated Woggle-Bug, and wonderful sawhorse that brought to life of magic powder The Scarecrow Tin Woodman had also assisted her; but the Cowardly Lion, who ruled the great forest King of Beasts, knew nothing of Ozma until after she became the reigning princess of Oz Then he journeyed Emerald City her, and on hearing she was about to visit the Land of Ev to set free the royal family country, the Cowardly Lion begged with her, and brought along his friend, the Hungry Tiger,

Having heard this story, Dorothy related her own adventures, and then went out with her friends the Sawhorse, which Ozma had caused shod with plates of gold, its legs wear out

They came Sawhorse standing motionless beside the garden gate, but when Dorothy was introduced to him he bowed politely and blinked his eyes, which were knots of wood, and wagged his tail, only the branch of tree

"What remarkable thing, alive ! " exclaimed Dorothy

"I quiet agree ," replied the Sawhorse, in rough but not unpleasant voice "A creature like me has no business to live, all know But it magic powder that did it, so justly be blamed "

" not," said Dorothy "And you of some use, 'cause I noticed the Scarecrow riding upon your back "

"Oh, yes; I'm of use," returned the Sawhorse; "and I never tire, never have fed, or cared for in "

" intel'gent ? " asked the girl

"Not very," said the creature "It foolish to waste intelligence on common Sawhorse, when professors need it But enough to obey my masters, and to gid-dup, or whoa, when I'm told to So I'm pretty well satisfied "

That night Dorothy slept in pleasant little bed-chamber next occupied by Ozma of Oz, and Billina perched foot bed and tucked her head under her wing and slept as soundly position as did Dorothy upon her soft cushions

But before daybreak was awake and stirring, and soon the adventurers were eating hasty breakfast great dining-room palace Ozma sat head of long table, on raised platform, with Dorothy on her right hand Scarecrow on her left The Scarecrow eat, ; but Ozma placed him near her she might ask his advice journey while she ate

Lower down the table were the twenty-seven warriors of Oz, and end room the Lion Tiger were eating out of kettle that placed floor, while Billina fluttered around to pick up any scraps that scattered

It take long to finish the meal, and then the Lion Tiger were harnessed chariot party was ready to start Nome King's Palace

First rode Ozma, with Dorothy beside her golden chariot and holding Billina fast in her arms Then came the Scarecrow Sawhorse, Tin Woodman and Tiktok marching side by side just behind him tramped the Army, looking brave and handsome in their splendid uniforms The generals commanded the colonels colonels commanded the majors majors commanded the captains captains commanded the private, who marched with an air of proud importance because it required officers him his orders

And so the magnificent procession left the palace and started along the road just as day was breaking, and the sun came out they had made good progress toward the valley that led Nome King's domain

10 The Giant Hammer

The road led for time through pretty farm country, and then past picnic grove that was very inviting But the procession continued to steadily advance until Billina cried in an abrupt and commanding manner:

"Wait--wait ! "

Ozma stopped her chariot so suddenly Scarecrow's Sawhorse nearly ran , ranks army tumbled over one another could come to halt Immediately the yellow hen struggled from Dorothy's arms and flew into clump of bushes roadside

"What's the matter ? " called the Tin Woodman, anxiously

"Why, Billina wants to lay her egg, that's all," said Dorothy

"Lay her egg ! " repeated the Tin Woodman, in astonishment

"Yes; she lays one every morning, ; and it's quite fresh," said the girl

"But does your foolish old hen suppose entire cavalcade, bound on an important adventure, is going to stand still while she lays her egg ? " enquired the Tin Woodman, earnestly

"What else can ? " asked the girl "It's habit of Billina's and 't break herself of it "

"Then hurry up," said the Tin Woodman, impatiently

"No, no ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow "If she hurries she may lay scrambled eggs "

"That's nonsense," said Dorothy "But Billina won't be long, I'm sure "

So they stood and waited, although all were restless and anxious And by and yellow hen came bushes saying:

"Kut-kut, kut, ka-daw-kutt ! Kut, kut, kut--ka-daw-kut ! "

" she doing--singing her lay ? " asked the Scarecrow

"For-ward--march ! " shouted the Tin Woodman, waving his axe, procession started just as Dorothy had once more grabbed Billina in her arms

"Isn't anyone going my egg ? " cried the hen, in great excitement

"I'll get it," said the Scarecrow; and at his command the Sawhorse pranced bushes The straw man soon found the egg, which he placed jacket pocket The cavalcade, having moved rapidly on, was even then far in advance; but it Sawhorse long to catch up with it, and presently the Scarecrow was riding accustomed place behind Ozma's chariot

"What shall egg ? " he asked Dorothy

" know," the girl answered "Perhaps the Hungry Tiger would like it "