" finished, son of yellow dog ? " narrow opening cave, the youngest Prince stuck his head

" working as fast as , Honorable Prince, but the elixir must boil yet one more night Tomorrow, sun shines first bar of your celestial window, come, and all ready "

" sure found it ? " asked the Prince, withdrawing his head, smoking dragon and steam kettle made him cough

" ," wheezed the Grand Gheewizard, and fell to stirring the kettle with all his might

* * * * *

The Scarecrow, although busy with trials great courtroom palace, felt that something unusual was air The Princes kept nodding to one another, Grand Chew Chew and General Mugwump had their heads together at every opportunity

"Something's going to happen, Tappy it in my straw," whispered the Scarecrow as he finished trying the last case very minute, the Grand Chew Chew arose and held up his hand for silence Everybody paused in their way exits and looked with surprise old Silverman

" to announce," said the Grand Chew Chew in solemn voice, " Great and Imperial Chang Wang Woe will tomorrow be restored own rightful shape The Grand Gheewizard realm has discovered magic formula to break the enchantment and free him distressing Scarecrow body Behold the Scarecrow of Oz Tomorrow our old and glorious Emperor ! "

"Old and glorious ? " gasped the Scarecrow, nearly falling throne

"Tappy ! I forgot to lock up the wizards Great Cornstarch ! Tomorrow eighty-five years old "

Such cheers greeted the Grand Chew Chew's announcement that no one even noticed the Scarecrow's distress

"I, also, have an announcement ! " cried the eldest Prince, standing up proudly "To celebration royal Papa's restoration complete, chosen the lovely and charming Orange Blossom bride "

"Bride ! " gulped the Scarecrow "But approve of second marriages I refuse to --"

No one paid the slightest attention Scarecrow's remarks

"Hold my hand, Tappy," sighed the Scarecrow weakly "It your last chance " Then he sat up and stared in good earnest, Prince was leading forward tall, richly clad lady

"Orange Blossom ! " muttered the Scarecrow under his breath "He means Lemon Peel ! Silver grandmother, Tappy ! " Orange Blossom was cross-looking Princess of seventy-five,

" sister King Golden Islands," whispered General Mugwump "Of richness surpassing your own Let me felicitate your Highness "

"Fan me, Tappy ! Fan me ! " gasped the Scarecrow Then he straightened himself suddenly The time had come for action say nothing to anyone, but that night escape and try his way back to Oz, family or no family ! He bowed graciously to Princess Orange Blossom, Grand Chew Chew, and sons

"Let everything be made ready ceremony, and may tomorrow indeed bring me to myself," he repeated solemnly Nothing was talked evening but the Emperor's impending marriage Grand Gheewizard's discovery The Scarecrow seemed the least excited person palace Sitting throne, he pretended to read the Royal Silver Journal, but really waiting impatiently courtiers to retire Finally, last one had bowed himself out and only Happy Toko remained throne room, the Scarecrow began making his plans

"It's no use, Tappy," said he, tying up few little trinkets for Dorothy in silk handkerchief, "I'd rather be straw than meat I'd rather be plain Scarecrow in Oz than Emperor Earth ! my sons, but all is my death I'm going back to my old friends I'd rather --" He got no farther huge slave seized him suddenly from behind, while another caught Happy Toko around his fat little waist

"Tie them fast," said the eldest Prince, smiling wickedly Scarecrow "Here, tie him beanstalk Merely part Grand Gheewizard's formula," he exclaimed maliciously struggling Scarecrow was bound securely family tree "Good night, dear papa Scarecrow Tomorrow your old self again, and in few short years Emperor Silver Islands ! "

"This rather upsets our plans, eh Tappy ? " wheezed the Scarecrow after struggle bonds

"Pigs ! Weasels ! " choked Tappy " we ? "

"Alas ! " groaned the Scarecrow "Tomorrow no Scarecrow in Oz Dorothy and Ozma think ? And once changed into my old Imperial self, never journey Emerald City Eighty-six is too old for traveling "

"Has your Majesty forgotten the wonderful brains given Wizard of Oz ? "

"I had -- for moment," confessed the Scarecrow "Be quiet, Tappy, while " Pressing his head against the magic beanpole, the Scarecrow thought and thought, harder than he had ever done course adventurous life, and great, silent hall Happy Toko struggled to set himself free

CHAPTER 16

DOROTHY AND HER GUARDIANS MEET NEW FRIENDS

While all these exciting things were happening poor Scarecrow, Dorothy, Sir Hokus Cowardly Lion having adventures own For three days, they had wandered through deserted part Winkie Country, subsisting largely on berries, sleeping under trees, and looking in vain for road to lead them back Emerald City second day, they had encountered an ancient woodsman, too old and deaf them any information , however, invite them into his hut and give them good dinner and dozen sandwiches to carry away

"But, oh, for good old pasty ! " sighed Sir Hokus late third afternoon finished the last crumbly sandwiches

" ," said Dorothy, looking straggly fields and woods ahead, "I believe we've been going wrong direction again "

"Again ! " choked the Cowardly Lion "You mean still I've been in parts of Oz, but this -- worst "

"Not even one little dragon ! " Sir Hokus shook his head mournfully Then, seeing that Dorothy was tired and discouraged, he pretended to strum on guitar and sang high-pitched voice:

rusty Knight in steel bedite And Lady Dot, so fair, Sir Lion bold, with mane of gold And might besides to spa--ha--hare ! And might beside to spare ! The dauntless three, company Of wit and bravery are, Who seek the valiant Scarecrow man, Who seek him near and fa--har--har, Who seek him near and fa--har !

"Oh, I like that ! " cried Dorothy, jumping up and giving Sir Hokus little squeeze "Only said trusty Knight "

The Cowardly Lion shook his golden mane "Let's do little reconnoitering, Hokus," carelessly live song somehow "Perhaps we'll find sign "

"I don't believe in signs anymore," laughed Dorothy, "but I'm coming too " Sir Hokus' song had cheered them all, and it wasn't the first time the Knight had helped best of tiresome journey

"The air seemeth to grow very hot," observed Sir Hokus after they had walked along silently for time "Hast noticed it, Sir Cowardly ? "

"No, but I've swallowed some of it," coughed the Cowardly Lion, looking suspiciously trees

"I'll just step forward what ," said the Knight As he disappeared, the truth dawned on Dorothy

"Wait ! Wait ! Don't go ! Please, please, Sir Hokus, come back, come back ! " cried the little girl, running after him as fast as

"What's the matter ? " rumbled the Cowardly Lion, thudding behind her Then both, coming suddenly woods, gave terrible scream, which so startled Sir Hokus that he fell over backwards Just , too, for another step taken him straight on Deadly Desert, which destroys every living thing and keeps all intruders away from Oz

"What befell ? " puffed Sir Hokus, getting feet Naturally, nothing poisonous sands

" ," wheezed the Cowardly Lion in an agitated voice

" dragon ? " asked the Knight, limping toward them hopefully

"Sit down ! " The Cowardly Lion mopped his brow tail "One step desert and it one long goodnight "

" say it would ! " shuddered Dorothy, and explained to Sir Hokus the deadly nature sands "And what ? " Dorothy was nearer to tears than even I like about "It means we've come in exactly the wrong direction farther away Emerald City than we were when we started "

"And seek him near and fa--hah--har," mumbled Sir Hokus with very troubled light kindly blue eyes

"And seek him near and far "

"Fah--har--har ! say ," said the Cowardly Lion bitterly "But you needn't sing it "

"No, I s'pose not Uds helmets and hauberks ! I s'pose not ! " The Knight lapsed into discouraged silence, and all three sat and stared drearily stretch of desert before them and thought gloomily rough country behind

"It's caravan," wheezed hoarse voice

" that, Camy, it " The shrill nasal voices so startled the three travelers swung about in astonishment

"Great dates and deserts ! " burst out the Cowardly Lion, jumping up And whole, this exclamation was entirely suitable, for ambling toward them were long-legged camel and wobbly-necked dromedary

"At last ! steed ! " cried the Knight, bounding feet

" that " The dromedary stopped and looked at him coldly

"Try me," said the camel amiably "I'm more comfortable "

" that, too "

"The doubtful dromedary wept, As o'er the desert sands he stept, Association sphinx him doubtful, so he thinks ! "

chortled the Knight head on one side