"Sing ! " roared the Cowardly Lion, glaring at him fiercely The fall wakened the poor Knight, but he the strength to rise Sitting hard stones and looking reproachfully Cowardly Lion, he began his ballad in half-hearted fashion The Cowardly Lion's heart was like to burst between lack of breath and fear, but making one last tremendous effort and still roaring his song, he bounded Chief Poker, seized the rope, and was back stupid creature had time to yawn

"Tie it around your waist; take Dorothy in your arms ! " gasped the Cowardly Lion corner mouth Sir Hokus, though completely dazed, had just enough presence of mind to obey, next minute the Cowardly Lion, growling between his teeth like good fellow, was dashing group of Pokes, the other end rope mouth

Bumpety bump -- bump -- bump ! Bangety-bang-bang ! went Sir Hokus over the cobbles, holding his helmet with one hand and Dorothy fast other arm The Pokes fell , and such determination Cowardly Lion that he never stopped till gate and halfway up the rough road they had so recently traveled Then with mighty sigh, he dropped the rope, rolled over and over down the hill, and lay panting with exhaustion bottom

The bumping over the cobbles had wakened Sir Hokus thoroughly Indeed, the poor Knight was black and blue, armor dented and scraped frightfully in important places

Dorothy, considerably shaken, opened her eyes and began feebly singing "Three Blind Mice "

"No need," puffed Sir Hokus, lifting her off his lap and rising stiffly

"Yon noble beast has rescued us "

"Won't the Pokes come up here ? " asked Dorothy, staring around bit dizzily

" live kingdom," said the Knight, and Dorothy drew big sigh of relief Sir Hokus, however, was looking very grave

" failed on my first adventure Had it not been Cowardly Lion, now be prisoners in Pokes," he murmured sadly Then he unfastened the plume helmet "It beseemeth me not to wear it," sighed the Knight mournfully, and though Dorothy tried her best to comfort him, he refused it back Finally, she fastened the plume to her dress, went down Cowardly Lion

little spring nearby, and after they had poured six helmets of water over his head, the lion opened his eyes "Been in fights," gasped the lion, "but I never fought one like this Singing, bah ! "

"Noble Sir, how can I ever repay you ? " faltered the Knight "Alas, that failed hour of trial ! "

"Why, it wasn't question of courage at all," rumbled the Cowardly Lion, greatly embarrassed "I had the loudest voice most breath, that's all ! You got the rough end of it " Sir Hokus looked ruefully at his armor The back was entirely squashed

"Never mind ! " said the Knight bravely " front one presents foe "

"Now you're talking like real Knight," said Dorothy "A while ago you said, 'Yon' and 'beseemeth,' and first thing the talk will all come back " Sir Hokus' honest face shone with pleasure

"Odds bludgeons and truncheons ! The little maid is right ! " he exclaimed, striking an attitude "And once it does, the rest easy "

"Don't say rest ," begged the Cowardly Lion, getting slowly feet "Hah, hoh, hum ! Just of it makes me yawn Now don't we had better start off ? "

" 're rested," began Dorothy The Cowardly Lion put his paw over his ear and looked so comical that both Dorothy and Sir Hokus laughed heartily

" 're ready," amended Dorothy, three adventurers started up the steep road "The first thing ," said the little girl, "is back Emerald City as quickly "

very minute Glinda, the Good Sorceress of Oz, in her palace Quadling Country, was puzzling over an entry Magic Record Book This book tells everything happening and out, and while it give details, very useful possession

"The Emperor Silver Islands," read Glinda, "has returned people "

"Now the Emperor Silver Islands ? " she asked herself She puzzled for long while, and then, deciding had nothing Fairy Kingdom of Oz, she closed the book and went for walk palace garden

Dorothy and Sir Hokus Cowardly Lion had meanwhile reached the first sign dim forest, the sign directing travelers to Pokes Two roads branched out forest, and after much debating they took the wider

" 'spose this leads Emerald City ? " asked Cowardly Lion dubiously

"Time will tell, time will tell," said Sir Hokus cheerfully

"Yes," murmured the Cowardly Lion, "time will tell But what ? "

CHAPTER 7

THE SCARECROW IS HAILED AS EMPEROR !

Leaning forward great throne, the Scarecrow waited impatiently ancient gentleman The gray-skinned courtiers were eyeing him expectantly, and just suspense became almost unendurable, the old man threw up his arms and cried sharply:

"The prophecy magic beanstalk fulfilled radiant and sublime Scarecrowcus, the spirit of Chang Wang Woe, the mighty, has returned And I, the Grand Chew Chew realm, prostrate myself before this wonderful Scarecrowcus, Emperor Silver Islands " So, likewise, did all the company present, Scarecrow, taken unawares, flew up several feet and landed in heap steps leading throne He climbed back hurriedly, picking up the fan and parasol that he had plucked beanstalk

" Professor Wogglebug could hear this," said the Scarecrow, settling himself complacently "But watch out, and remember to hold on "

The Grand Chew Chew first to rise, and folding his arms, he asked solemnly:

" your commands, Ancient and Honorable Scarecrowcus ? "

" 'd just omit the Cus," begged the Scarecrow in an embarrassed voice, "I believe think better Am I in China, or where ? Chinamen, or what ? "

" Silvermen," said the Grand Chew Chew impressively, "and much older race than our Chinese cousins people sun people stars Has your Highness so soon forgotten ? "

" afraid," said the Scarecrow, rubbing his chin reflectively, "that " He gazed slowly around the great throne room Ozma's palace itself was not more dazzling The floor of dull silver blocks was covered with rich blue rugs Furniture, chairs, screens and everything were made of silver inlaid with precious stones Filigreed silver lanterns hung high ceilings, and tall silver vases filled with pink and blue blossoms filled the rooms with their perfume Blue flags embroidered with silver stars fluttered walls tips pikebearers' spears, and silver seemed so plentiful that even shoes were fashioned of it Faintly windows came the sweet tones of hundred silver chimes, and altogether the Scarecrow was quite dazed by his apparent good fortune Surely they had called him Emperor, but how could that be ? He turned to address the Grand Chew Chew; then as corner eye assemblage were making ready upon their faces, he exclaimed in hoarse whisper:

"May I speak alone ? " The Grand Chew Chew waved his hand imperiously, courtiers with great crackling of silver brocade backed hall

"Very kind to bow, but they wouldn't," sighed the Scarecrow, sinking back great throne "It blows one about so I declare, if another person falls at my feet, I'll have nervous prostration "

Again long survey hall, then turned Grand Chew Chew "Would you mind," he asked simply, "telling me again who and how ? "

"Who and how ? Who -- , illustrious Sir, the Emperor Chang Wang Woe, or more exact, his spirit ! "

" always been spirited person," observed the Scarecrow dubiously, "but never spirit without person insist on being person "

"How ? " the Grand Chew Chew proceeded without noticing the Scarecrow's remarks "Fifty -- after your Extreme Highness had defeated in battle the King Golden Islands -- magician entered the realm This magician, employ wicked king, entered room palace where your Highness lay sleeping and by an act of necromancy changed you to crocus ! "

"Ouch ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow, shuddering involun-tarily

"And had it not been Empress, your faithful wife, lost forever Empire "

"Wife ? " gasped the Scarecrow faintly "Have I wife ? "

"If your Highness will permit me to finish," begged the Grand Chew Chew with great dignity The Scarecrow nodded "Your wife, Tsing Tsing, the beautiful, took the crocus, fading rapidly, and planted it in silver bowl center very hall and for three days kept it fresh with her tears Waking third morning, the Empress was amazed in place crocus giant bean pole that extended roof palace and disappeared clouds "

"Ah ! " murmured the Scarecrow, looking up, "My family tree ! "

"Beside the bean pole lay crumpled parchment " The Grand Chew Chew felt sleeve kimono and brought out bit of crumpled silver paper, and adjusting his horn spectacles, read slowly

" first being who touches this magic pole -- other side world -- the spirit of Emperor Chang Wang Woe will enter And fifty years day, return -- to save his people "

The Grand Chew Chew took off his specs and folded up the paper "The day ! come down the bean pole, undoubtedly that being who has gone from Emperor to crocus to Scarecrowcus ruled the Islands these fifty years; have seen education of your sons and grandsons And now, gracious and exalted Master, as an old man I to relieve me cares of state "

"Sons ! Grandsons ! " choked the Scarecrow, beginning alarmed indeed "How old am I ? "

"Your Highness," said the Grand Chew Chew with deep salaam, "is as old as I In other words, ripe and glorious eighty-fifth year of your Majesty's illustrious and useful age "