Our friends had no further trouble in reaching the end passage, and soon were standing outer air gloomy path two high mountains But the way to Ev lay plainly before them, fervently hoped had seen the last Nome King and dreadful palace

The cavalcade was led by Ozma, mounted Cowardly Lion, Queen of Ev, who rode back Tiger The children Queen walked behind her, hand in hand Dorothy rode the Sawhorse, while the Scarecrow walked and commanded the army absence Tin Woodman

Presently the way began to lighten and more sunshine in two mountains And before long they heard the "thump ! thump ! thump ! " giant's hammer road

"How may we pass the monstrous man of iron ? " asked the Queen, anxious safety of her children But Dorothy solved the problem by word magic belt

The giant paused, hammer held motionless air, thus allowing the entire party between his cast-iron legs in safety

19 The King of Ev

If there were any shifting, rock-colored Nomes mountain side now, they were silent and respectful, adventurers annoyed, as before, by their impudent laughter Really the Nomes had nothing to laugh at, defeat King

other side they found Ozma's golden chariot, standing had left it Soon the Lion Tiger were harnessed beautiful chariot, in enough room for Ozma Queen and six royal children

Little Evring preferred to ride with Dorothy Sawhorse, which had long back The Prince had recovered shyness and had become very fond girl who had rescued him, so they were fast friends and chatted pleasantly together rode along Billina was also perched head wooden steed, which seemed not to mind the added weight least, boy was full of wonder that hen could talk, and say such sensible things

came gulf, Ozma's magic carpet carried them all over in safety; and now they began the trees, birds were singing; breeze that was wafted farms of Ev was spicy with flowers and new-mown hay; sunshine fell full upon them, to warm them and drive away from their bodies the chill and dampness underground kingdom Nomes

" quite content," said the Scarecrow to Tiktok, "were only the Tin Woodman But it breaks my heart to leave him behind "

" fine fel-low," replied Tiktok, "al-though his ma-ter-i-al was not ve-ry du-ra-ble "

"Oh, tin is an excellent material," the Scarecrow hastened ; "and if anything ever happened to poor Nick Chopper always easily soldered Besides, have wound up, and was not liable out of order "

"I some-times wish," said Tiktok, "that stuffed with straw, hard made of cop-per "

" no reason to complain lot," replied the Scarecrow "A little fresh straw, , makes me as good as new But never be the polished gentleman that my poor departed friend, the Tin Woodman, was "

the royal children of Ev and their Queen mother were delighted at seeing again their beloved country; and towers palace of Ev came into view forbear cheering sight Little Evring, riding in front of Dorothy, was so overjoyed that curious tin whistle pocket and blew shrill blast that made the Sawhorse leap and prance in sudden alarm

"What ? " asked Billina, who obliged to flutter her wings her seat head frightened Sawhorse

"That's my whistle," said Prince Evring, holding it out upon his hand

shape of little fat pig, made of tin and painted green The whistle was tail pig

"Where did you get it ? " asked the yellow hen, closely examining the toy with her bright eyes

"Why, I picked it up Nome King's palace, while Dorothy was making her guesses, and I put it in my pocket," answered the little Prince

Billina laughed; or she made the peculiar cackle that served her for laugh

"No wonder I couldn't find the Tin Woodman," she said; "and no wonder the magic belt didn't make him appear, or the King couldn't find him, either ! "

"What ? " questioned Dorothy

"Why, the Prince had him pocket," cried Billina, cackling again

" ! " protested little Evring "I only took the whistle "

"Well, then, watch me," returned the hen, and reaching out claw she touched the whistle and said "Ev "

Swish !

"Good afternoon," said the Tin Woodman, taking off his funnel cap and bowing to Dorothy Prince " been asleep first time since I of tin, for remember our leaving the Nome King "

" enchanted," answered the girl, throwing an arm around her old friend and hugging him tight in her joy "But it's all right, now "

" my whistle ! " said the little Prince, beginning to cry

"Hush ! " cautioned Billina "The whistle is lost, but another get home "

The Scarecrow had fairly thrown himself bosom old comrade, so surprised and delighted was he him again, and Tiktok squeezed the Tin Woodman's hand so earnestly that he dented some fingers Then they had way for Ozma to welcome the tin man, army caught sight of him and set up cheer, and everybody was delighted and happy

Tin Woodman was great favorite with all who knew him, sudden recovery after they had thought lost forever was indeed pleasant surprise

Before long the cavalcade arrived royal palace, where great crowd of people had gathered to welcome their Queen and her ten children much shouting and cheering, people threw flowers in their path, and every face wore happy smile

They found the Princess Langwidere in her mirrored chamber, where she was admiring one of her handsomest heads--one with rich chestnut hair, dreamy walnut eyes and shapely hickorynut nose She was relieved of her duties people of Ev, Queen graciously permitted her to retain her rooms and her cabinet of heads as long as she lived

Then the Queen took her eldest son out upon balcony that overlooked the crowd of subjects gathered below, and said :

" your future ruler, King Evardo Fifteenth fifteen , has fifteen silver buckles jacket and fifteenth Evardo to rule the land of Ev "

The people shouted their approval fifteen times, and even the Wheelers, some of whom were present, loudly promised to obey the new King

So the Queen placed big crown of gold, set with rubies, upon Evardo's head, and threw an ermine robe over his shoulders, and proclaimed him King; and he bowed gratefully to all his subjects and then went away if find any cake royal pantry

Ozma of Oz and her people, as Dorothy, Tiktok and Billina, were splendidly entertained Queen mother, who owed all her happiness kind offices; evening the yellow hen was publicly presented with beautiful necklace of pearls and sapphires, as token of esteem new King

20 The Emerald City

Dorothy decided to accept Ozma's invitation to return with her Land of Oz no greater chance of her getting home from Ev than from Oz, little girl was anxious once more the country where she had encountered such wonderful adventures Uncle Henry reached Australia ship, and had probably given her up for lost; so he couldn't worry any more than if she stayed away while longer So go to Oz

They bade good-bye people of Ev, King promised Ozma that ever be grateful to her and render the Land of Oz any service that might lie within his power

And then they approached the edge dangerous desert, and Ozma threw down the magic carpet, which at once unrolled far enough for all to walk upon it without being crowded

Tiktok, claiming Dorothy's faithful follower because he belonged to her, permitted to join the party, and started the girl wound up his machinery as far as possible, copper man stepped off as briskly as

Ozma also invited Billina to visit the Land of Oz, yellow hen was glad enough where new sights and scenes awaited her

They began the trip across the desert early morning, and stopped only long enough for Billina to lay her daily egg, before sunset they espied the green slopes and wooded hills beautiful Land of Oz They entered it Munchkin territory, King Munchkins met them border and welcomed Ozma with great respect, being very pleased by her safe return For Ozma of Oz ruled the King Munchkins, the King Winkies, the King Quadlings King Gillikins just kings ruled their own people; and this supreme ruler Land of Oz lived in great town of her own, called the Emerald City, exact center four kingdoms Land of Oz

The Munchkin king entertained them at his palace that night, and morning they set out Emerald City, travelling over road of yellow brick that led straight jewel-studded gates Everywhere the people turned out to greet their beloved Ozma, and to hail joyfully the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman Cowardly Lion, who were popular favorites Dorothy, too, remembered people, who had befriended her occasion of her first visit to Oz, were well pleased the little Kansas girl again, and showered her with compliments and good wishes

At one place, where they stopped to refresh themselves, Ozma accepted bowl of milk hands of pretty dairy-maid Then she looked girl more closely, and exclaimed:

"Why, it's Jinjur--isn't it ! "