"It just occurred ," admitted Sir Hokus, clearing his throat modestly

" that Somebody told you," said the Doubtful Dromedary bitterly

"Pon my honor," said Sir Hokus

" it, it ," persisted the Dromedary, wagging his head sorrowfully

"You seem to doubt everything ! " Dorothy laughed of herself, Dromedary regarded her sulkily

" ," said the Camel "It makes him very doubtful company Now, I like comfortable and happy, and 't be 're always doubting things and people and places Eh, my dear ? "

"Where did you comfortable and doubtful parties come from ? " asked the Cowardly Lion "Strangers here ? "

"Well, yes," admitted the Camel, nibbling the branch of tree " terrific sandstorm, and after blowing and blowing and blowing, ourselves little wood The odd part of it you talk language Never knew two-leg to understand word of Camelia before "

"You're not talking Camelia, you're talking Ozish," laughed Dorothy "All animals can talk here "

"Well, now, that's very comfortable, say," sighed the Camel, "and 'd just tell me where , it more comfortable still "

" that," snapped the Dromedary "They're no caravan "

"Where ? " asked the Cowardly Lion, ignoring the Doubtful Dromedary

"Anywhere, just so we keep moving We're used to being told when to start and stop, and life is mighty lonely without our Karwan Bashi," sighed the Comfortable Camel

"Why, I didn't know you smoked ! " exclaimed Dorothy in surprise She thought the camel was referring to brand of tobacco

"He means his camel driver," whispered Sir Hokus, eyeing the soft, pillowed seat camel's back longingly Besides the seat, great sacks and bales of goods hung from its sides The Doubtful Dromedary was similarly loaded

"Goodness ! " exclaimed Dorothy sudden idea had struck her "You haven't anything to eat in those sacks, ? "

"Plenty, my child -- plenty ! " answered the Camel calmly

"Three cheers Comfortable Camel ! " roared the Cowardly Lion, while Sir Hokus, following the camel's directions, carefully unfastened large, woven basket from sacks on its side

" my Karwan Bashi," announced the Comfortable Camel judiciously as Sir Hokus paused for breath

"Hear that, Lady Dot ? " Sir Hokus swept the camel bow and fairly beamed with pleasure Dorothy, meanwhile, had set out an appetizing repast on small, rocky ledge -- regular feast, it appeared hungry travelers There were loaves of black bread, figs, dates, cheese, and curious sort of dried meat which the Cowardly Lion swallowed in great quantities

"Isn't this cozy ? " said Dorothy, forgetting the long, weary way ahead "My, I'm glad we met you ! "

"Very comforting , too, my dear," said the Camel, swaying complacently "Isn't it, Doubty ? "

" some silk cushions in my right-hand saddle sack, but whether you'll like 'em," mumbled the Dromedary gruffly

"Out ! " cried Sir Hokus, pouncing Doubtful Dromedary, and in minute each party had cushion and was as snug as possible

"Could anything more fortunate ? " exulted the Knight " now resume our journey properly mounted "

" I'll ride the Cowardly Lion," said Dorothy, looking uneasily high seat camel's back "Let's start before it grows any darker "

They had eaten to heart's content, and now, packing up the remainder feast, the little party made ready to start

Sir Hokus, using the Cowardly Lion as footstool, mounted the camel, and then Dorothy climbed on her old friend's back, little caravan moved slowly forest

"There's tent in my left-hand saddle sack, but whether put it up," said the Doubtful Dromedary, falling in behind the Comfortable Camel " it indeed "

"How now, what means this doubting ? " called Sir Hokus perilous seat "I'll pitch it time comes "

"Mind you don't pitch out Camel goes ! " called the Cowardly Lion, his little joke Sir Hokus, the truth, was feeling tossed about and dizzy, but too polite to mention the fact proceeded, Dorothy told the Comfortable Camel all Scarecrow and Oz

An occasional word jolted down from above told her Knight was singing They had gone possibly mile when Dorothy pointed in excitement to road just ahead

" missed it before ! Wait, I'll see what it's like " Jumping down Cowardly Lion's back, she peered curiously narrow, tree-lined path "Why, here's sign ! "

"What of ? " asked the Comfortable Camel, lurching forward eagerly and nearly unseating the Knight

WISH WAY

read Dorothy in puzzled voice

"Looks like pretty good road," said the Comfortable Camel, squinting up its eyes

" it, Camy, it ," said the Doubtful Dromedary tremulously

"What does my dear Karwan Bashi think ? " asked the Comfortable Camel, looking adoringly back Knight

" unwise back journey lieth forward," said the Knight, and immediately returned song So, single file, the little company turned in narrow path, the Comfortable Camel advancing with timid steps Doubtful Dromedary bobbing his head dubiously

CHAPTER 17

DOUBTY AND CAMY VANISH INTO SPACE

For short time, everything went well Then Dorothy, turning how Sir Hokus was getting along, discovered Doubtful Dromedary had disappeared

"Why, where ? " exclaimed Dorothy The Comfortable Camel craned his wobbly neck and, when that his friend was gone, burst into tears His sobs heaved Sir Hokus clear out seat and flung him, helmet first, dust

"Go to ! " exploded the Knight, sitting up "If I were bird, riding in yon nest easier " The last sentence ended in hoarse croak Sir Hokus vanished, and great raven flopped down center road

"Oh, where is my dear Karwan Bashi ? Oh, where is Doubty ? " screamed the Comfortable Camel, running around in frenzied circles " I'd never come path ! "

"Magic ! " gasped Dorothy, clutching the Cowardly Lion's mane The Comfortable Camel had melted into air before their very eyes

" it, it ! " coughed faint voice close to her ear Dorothy ducked her head involuntarily as big yellow butterfly settled Cowardly Lion's ear

"Our doubtful friend," whispered the lion weakly "Oh, be careful, Dorothy dear turn into frogs or something worse any minute "

Dorothy Cowardly Lion had had experiences with magic transformations, little girl, pressing her fingers to her eyes, tried of something The raven was making awkward attempts to fly and cawing "Go to, now ! " second

"Oh, Hokus were himself again," wailed Dorothy after trying in vain to recall some magic sentences Presto ! The Knight stood before them, bit breathless from flying, but hearty as ever

" ! ! " said the Cowardly Lion with little prance "Every wish you make road comes true Remember the sign: 'Wish Way ' the Comfortable Camel were back the Doubtful Dromedary were himself again," muttered the Cowardly Lion rapidly, and in an instant the two creatures were standing path

"Uds bodikins ! So wish myself bird ! " gasped the Knight, rubbing his gauntlets together excitedly

"There ! There ! " cried the Comfortable Camel, stumbling toward him and resting his foolish head shoulder "Dear, dear Karwan Bashi ! And Doubty, old fellow, there too ! Ah, how comfortable this all is "

"Not two -- one," wheezed the Doubtful Dromedary "And Camy, whether I'd care for butterflying I just happened to wish myself one ! "

"Don't make any more wishes," said the Cowardly Lion sternly

"Methinks proper wish might serve us well," observed Sir Hokus He pacing up and down in great excitement " wish --"

"Oh, stop ! " begged Dorothy "Wait till we've thought it all out Wishing's awfully particular work ! "

"One person better speak party," said the Cowardly Lion "Now, --"

"Oh, be careful ! " screamed Dorothy again " all stop wishing ! " Sir Hokus looked at her reproachfully No wonder At Dorothy's words, they all found themselves unable The Doubtful Dromedary's eyes grew rounder and rounder first time in its life, unable to doubt anything

"Now I'll have all," thought Dorothy, and closing her eyes she tried very best wish for everybody concerned night and growing darker The Cowardly Lion, the Camel and Dromedary and Sir Hokus peered anxiously little girl, wondering what was going to happen Being wished around is no joke For five minutes Dorothy thought and thought Then, standing middle road, she made her wish in clear, distinct voice not very long wish exact, it had only eight words Eight -- short -- little words ! But stars ! No sooner were they out of Dorothy's mouth earth opened with splintering crash and swallowed up the whole company !

CHAPTER 18

DOROTHY FINDS THE SCARECROW !

The next thing Dorothy knew, she was sitting hard floor of great, dark hall One lantern burned feebly, and dim, silvery light just make out the Comfortable Camel scrambling awkwardly feet

"I smell straw," sniffed the Camel softly

" whether going to like this place " The voice Doubtful Dromedary came hesitatingly gloom

"By sword and scepter ! " gasped the Knight, " there, Sir Cowardly ? "

"Thank goodness, ! " said Dorothy Wishing other people about is risky and responsible business "They're all here, but I wonder where " She jumped up, but at shuffle of feet drew back