The Scarecrow called his court, but in no mood for more Silver Islanders' idea of He longed dear friends loved Land of Oz

One by one the lights winked out gardens, noisy company dispersed, and soon no one palace was awake but the Scarecrow His straw was wet and soggy, and even his excellent brains felt damp and dull

" weren't for Tappy Oko, how lonely " He stared long, dim, empty hall with its shimmering silver screens and vases "I wonder what little Dorothy is doing," sighed the Scarecrow wistfully

CHAPTER 10

PRINCESS OZMA AND BETSY BOBBIN TALK IT OVER

"Dorothy having lovely time Scarecrow's," remarked Betsy Bobbin to Ozma one afternoon sat reading Royal Gardens after Dorothy's departure Emerald City of Oz

"One always has jolly time Scarecrow's," laughed the little Queen of Oz " look in my Magic Picture what doing Too bad she missed the A-B-Sea Serpent and Rattlesnakes Weren't they the funniest creatures ? "

Both the little girls (for Ozma is really just little girl) went off into gale of laughter The two queer creatures had followed the Scarecrow's advice and had spent their vacation Emerald City, and partly because they were so dazzled by their surroundings and partly because no sort of memories whatever, they never mentioned the Scarecrow himself or said anything about his plan to hunt his family tree They talked incessantly Mer City and told innumerable A-B-Sea stories to Scraps Tin Woodman children Emerald City were ready , the A-B-Sea Serpent snapped off its X block for Ozma X, , meant almost everything, and pretty well expressed his gratitude lovely little ruler of Oz Ozma in turn gave each visitors an emerald collar, very morning they had started back Munchkin River, and all the celebrities of Oz had gotten up them off

"Maybe they'll come again ," said Betsy Bobbin, swinging her feet "But look, Ozma, here comes messenger " messenger it surely was, dressed quaint red costume Quadlings from Glinda, the Good Sorceress, and caused the Princess to sigh with vexation

"Tell Jack Pumpkinhead to harness the Sawhorse red wagon," said Ozma after glancing hastily little note "The Horners and Hoppers are at war again And tell the Wizard ready for journey "

"May I come, too, ? " asked Betsy Ozma nodded with troubled little frown, and Betsy bustled off importantly Not many little girls are called upon to help settle wars and rule country as wonderful as Oz

The Horners and Hoppers are quarrelsome and curious folk living Quadling mountains, and soon Ozma, Jack Pumpkinhead, Betsy Wizard of Oz were rattling off best speed the Sawhorse could manage pretty fast, little horse, being made of wood and magically brought to life, never tires and could outrun anything on legs fairy Kingdom of Oz

But the fact that interests us Ozma look Magic Picture or see what exciting adventures the Scarecrow and Dorothy really were having !

As for Professor Wogglebug, who had caused all the trouble, busily at work twelfth chapter Royal Book of Oz, which he had modestly headed:

H M WOGGLEBUG T E , PRINCE OF BUGS,

Cultured and Eminent Educator and also Great Grand and General Genealogist of Oz

CHAPTER 11

SIR HOKUS OVERCOMETH THE GIANT

"I don't believe we'll ever find the way out forest "

Dorothy stopped with discouraged little sigh and leaned against tree They had followed the road for several hours First it fine and wide, but it had gradually dwindled to crooked little path that wound crazily in and out trees Although almost noonday, not ray of sun penetrated dim green depths

"Methinks," said Sir Hokus, peering gloom ahead, "that great adventure is at hand "

The Cowardly Lion put back his ears "What makes you methink so ? " he rumbled anxiously

"Hark thee ! " said Sir Hokus, holding up his finger warningly From great way off sounded curious thumping coming nearer and nearer

"Good gracious ! " cried Dorothy, catching hold Cowardly Lion's mane

" worse than Pokes ! "

"Perchance dragon," exulted the Knight, drawing his short sword "Ah, how it would refresh me to slay dragon ! "

"I don't relish dragons myself Scorched my tongue on one once," said the Cowardly Lion huskily "But I'll fight , brother Hokus Stand back, Dorothy dear "

thuds grew louder, the Knight fairly danced up and down with excitement "Approach, villain ! " he roared lustily

"Approach till I impale thee on my lance Ah, had I but horse ! "

"I'd let you ride on my back weren't hard tin suit," said the Cowardly Lion "But cheer up, my dear Hokus, your voice is little hoarse " Dorothy giggled nervously, then seized hold of small tree, whole forest was rocking

"How now ! " gasped the Knight terrific quake that threw Sir Hokus face and sent every hair lion's mane on end, and then great foot came crashing down treetops not three paces little party could even swallow, giant hand flashed down-ward, jerked up handful of trees roots, and disappeared, while voice from somewhere way above shouted:

little humans for ? To feed the giant Bangladore Broiled or toasted, baked or roasted, I smell three or maybe four !

"You hear that ? " quavered the Cowardly Lion Sir Hokus answer His helmet jammed down by his fall, and tugging it upward with both hands Frightened though Dorothy was, she ran Knight's assistance

"Have at you ! " cried Sir Hokus opening helmet was opposite his eyes "Forward ! "

"My heart is beating retreat," gulped the Cowardly Lion, but he bounded boldly after Sir Hokus

"Varlet ! " hissed the Knight, and raising his sword gave mighty slash giant's ankle, broad as three tree trunks, while the Cowardly Lion gave great spring and sank his teeth giant's huge leg

"Ouch ! " roared the giant in voice that shook every leaf forest "You stop, or I'll tell my father ! " , hop that sent Sir Hokus flying treetops, stumbled over huge rock, and came crashing earth, smashing trees like grass blades giant's first scream, Dorothy shut her eyes and, putting her hands over her ears, had run as far and as fast as awful crash, she stopped short, opened her eyes, and stared 'round giddily

The giant was flat back, but as stretched as far as four city blocks, only half of him was visible The Cowardly Lion still clung leg, and gurgling and struggling in way Dorothy understand

She looked around in panic Knight Just then, Sir Hokus dropped branch of tree

"Uds daggers ! " he puffed, looking ruefully at his sword, which had snapped off handle, " 'Tis pretty rogue ! "

"Don't we'd better run ? " shiver Dorothy, thinking giant's song

"Not while I wear these colors ! " exclaimed Sir Hokus, proudly touching Dorothy's hair ribbon, which still adorned his arm "Come, my good Lion, dispatch this braggart and saucy monster "

"Father ! " screamed the giant, making no attempt to move

"He frightened, himself," whispered Dorothy Knight "But whatever matter Cowardly Lion ? "

minute, the Cowardly Lion gave great jerk and began backing four feet braced The piece of giant leg that he had hold of stretched and stretched, and while Sir Hokus and Dorothy stared in amazement, it snapped off Cowardly Lion rolled head over paws

"Taffy ! " roared the Cowardly Lion, sitting up and trying to open his jaws, which were firmly stuck together

"Taffy ! " , Sir Hokus sprang nimbly giant's leg, ran up his chest, and perched bravely peppermint collar

"Surrender, Knave ! " he demanded threateningly Dorothy, seeing do nothing to help the Cowardly Lion, followed On her way up, she broke off tiny piece coat and found it most delicious chocolate

"Why, he's all made of candy ! " she cried excitedly

"Oh, hush ! " sobbed the giant, rolling his great sourball eyes "I'd be eaten in minute were known "

"You were mighty anxious to eat us while ago," said Dorothy, looking longingly giant's coat buttons They seemed large marshmallows

"Go away ! " screamed the giant, shaking Dorothy slid into his vest pocket "No one under forty feet is allowed forest ! "

Dorothy climbed crossly giant's pocket "We didn't come because we wanted to," she assured him, wiping the chocolate off her nose

"Odds bodikins ! fight great baby like this," sighed Sir Hokus, dodging just great, sugary tear that had rolled down the giant's nose "He's got to apologize song, though "

"Wait ! " cried Dorothy suddenly " an idea set us down edge forest and all your vest buttons for lunch, we won't tell anyone you're made of candy We'll let you go," she called loudly, giant had begun to sob again

"Won't you ? ? " sniffed the foolish giant

"Never sing that song again ! " commanded the Knight sternly

"No, Sir," answered the giant meekly "Did your dog chew much leg, Sir ? " Then, before Dorothy or Sir Hokus had time to way word, they were snatched up in sticky fingers and next minute were dropped with thump in large field of daisies

"Oh ! " spluttered Dorothy giant made off taffy legs "Oh, we've forgotten the Cowardly Lion ! " But minute, the giant reappeared, lion was dropped beside them

"What's this ? What's this ? " growled the Cowardly Lion, looking around wildly