"Hush up, can't you ? " rumbled the Cowardly Lion " Dorothy and everybody thrown into prison account ? 't climb the bean pole and to wait here and face it out "

"But how uncomfortable," wailed the camel He began to sob heavily Dorothy, although highest up the bean pole, heard all distinctly "Oh," she cried remorsefully, " 't desert the Cowardly Lion like this I never thought about him "

"Spoken like the dear little Maid ," said the Knight "The good beast never reminded us of it, either There's bravery ! "

" descend at once, I'll not move step without the Cowardly Lion ! " agitation, the Scarecrow lost his balance and fell headlong ground, knocking Sir Hokus's helmet terribly askew as he passed The others made haste him and were soon gathered gravely foot beanstalk

"I'll have of some other plan," said the Scarecrow, looking nervously sky, which showed, long windows, the first streaks of dawn The Comfortable Camel controlled its sobs with difficulty and pressed as close to Sir Hokus as it could The Doubtful Dromedary was still asleep

"It terrible climb," mused the Scarecrow, thinking long, long fall down the pole "Ah, it ! "

"What ? " asked Dorothy anxiously

"I wonder think of it before Ah, my brains are working better ! abdicate," exclaimed the Scarecrow triumphantly " abdicate, make farewell speech, and return to Oz ! "

"What refuse to let your radiant Highness go ? " put in Happy Toko tremulously "What Gheewizard should work his magic finished your speech ? "

"Then we'll make dash ! " said Sir Hokus, twirling his sword recklessly

"I'm ," said the Cowardly Lion huskily, "but you needn't have come back "

"All right ! " said the Scarecrow cheerfully "And now that everything's settled so nicely, enjoy the little time left Put out the lights, Tappy Dorothy sit throne, rest of you come as close as possible "

Sir Hokus wakened the Doubtful Dromedary and pulled and tugged it across the hall, where it immediately fell down asleep again The Comfortable Camel ambled about eating the flowers vases The Cowardly Lion had placed himself at Dorothy's feet, and Sir Hokus and Happy Toko seated themselves first step gorgeous silver throne

Then, while they waited for morning, Dorothy told the Scarecrow all Pokes and Fix City, Scarecrow told once again victory over the king Golden Islands

"Where magic fan now ? " asked Dorothy end story

The Scarecrow smiled broadly, and feeling in deep pocket brought out the little fan and also the parasol he had plucked beanstalk " ," smiling, " has happened I haven't thought battle saving them , Dorothy "

" ! " exclaimed the little girl in delight "Let me see them ! " The Scarecrow handed them over obligingly, but Happy Toko trembled so violently that he rolled down the steps throne

"I beg of you ! " He scrambled feet and held up his hands in terror "I beg of you, don't open that fan ! "

"She's used to magic, Tappy You needn't worry," said the Scarecrow easily

" ," said Dorothy with great dignity "But this'll be mighty useful if anyone tries to conquer Oz again just fan 'em away "

Dorothy pulled hair Cowardly Lion's mane, and winding it around the little fan, put it carefully pocket of her dress The parasol she hung by its ribbon to her arm

"Perhaps Ozma will look Magic Picture and wish us all back again," said the little girl after they had sat for time in silence

" it " The Dromedary stirred and mumbled in its sleep

"Singular beast, that ! " ejaculated the Knight "Doubting never gets one anywhere "

"Hush ! " warned the Scarecrow "I hear footsteps ! "

"Come here " Sir Hokus called hoarsely camel, who was eating paper lantern other end room The beast ran awkwardly over throne, and swallowing the lantern with convulsive gulp, settled down beside the dromedary

"Whatever happens, stick together," said the Knight emphatically "Ah -- ! "

Dorothy held fast Scarecrow with one hand and throne other The sun had risen at last loud crash of drums and trumpets, rush of feet, and hall marched the most splendid company Dorothy had seen in her whole life of adventures

CHAPTER 20

DOROTHY UPSETS THE CEREMONY ISLAND

"A caravan ! " whistled the Comfortable Camel, lurching feet "How nice ! "

" that ! " The dromedary's eyes flew open, and he stared sleepily magnificent procession of Silver Islanders

First came the musicians, playing their shining silver trumpets and flutes The Grand Chew Chew and General Mugwump followed, attired in brilliant silk robes of state Then came the three Princes, glittering with jeweled chains and medals, fifteen little Princes, like silver butterflies in their satin kimonas Next appeared palanquin bearing the veiled Princess Orange Blossom, followed by whole company of splendid courtiers and after them as everyday Silver Islanders hall would hold moment of silence Then the whole assemblage, contrary Scarecrow's edict, fell upon their faces

"My ! " exclaimed Dorothy, impressed of herself " sure up all this ? "

"Great Emperor, beautiful sun, wise stars, and radiant clouds, the Ceremony of Restoration is about ! " quavered the Grand Chew Chew, rising slowly Then he paused, for suddenly confused strange company around the Scarecrow's throne

"Treachery ! " hissed the eldest Prince others "We left him tied bean pole Ancient Papa Scarecrow needs watching ! these curious objects he has gathered about him, pray ? "

Now by some magic which even explain, the people from Oz found understand all that was being said When Dorothy heard herself called an object and saw the wicked faces three Princes stupid little grandsons, she no longer wondered Scarecrow's decision

The Scarecrow himself bowed calmly "First," said he cheerfully, "let me introduce my friends and visitors from Oz "

The Silver Islanders, who really loved the Scarecrow, bowed politely as out the names of Dorothy others But the three Silver Princes scowled and whispered indignantly among themselves

" growing very wroth ! " choked Sir Hokus Cowardly Lion

"Let the ceremony proceed ! " called the eldest Prince harshly, Scarecrow had finished his introductions "Let the proper body Serene Highness be immediately restored Way Grand Gheewizard ! Way Grand Gheewizard ! "

"One moment," put Scarecrow in dignified voice " something " The Silver Islanders clapped loudly , and Dorothy felt bit reassured Perhaps listen to reason after all and let the Scarecrow depart peacefully How they were ever to escape didn't, the little girl

"My dear children," began the Scarecrow jolly voice, "nothing more wonderful than my return lovely island, but years away changed , and I no longer care for being Emperor So with your kind permission, keep the excellent body I now have and will abdicate in favor eldest son and return with my friends to Oz For in Oz I really belong "

dead silence followed the Scarecrow's speech -- then perfect pandemonium

"No ! No ! good Emperor ! let you go ! " shrieked the people " our honorable little Father The Prince shall be Emperor after peacefully returned to your ancestors, but not now No ! No ! have it ! "

"I feared this ! " quavered Happy Toko

" the Emperor, but the Scarecrow who speaks ! " shrilled the Grand Chew Chew craftily " not what But transformation -- Ah, you shall see ! "

The company calmed down "Let the ceremony proceed ! Way Grand Gheewizard ! " they cried exultantly

"Chew Chew," wailed the Scarecrow, "you're off the track ! " But too late No one would listen

"I'll have of something else," muttered the Scarecrow, sinking dejectedly back throne

"Oh ! " shuddered Dorothy, clutching the Scarecrow, "Here he comes ! "

"Way Grand Gheewizard ! Way Grand Gheewizard ! "

The crowd parted Hobbling toward the throne came the ugly little Gheewizard Silver Island holding large silver vase high above his head, and after him -- !

When Sir Hokus caught glimpse of what came after, he leaped clean over the Comfortable Camel

"Uds daggers ! " roared the Knight "At last ! " He rushed forward violently sharp thrust good sword, then an explosion like twenty giant firecrackers in one, room became quite black with smoke Before anyone realized what had happened, Sir Hokus was back, dragging something after him and shouting exuberantly, "A dragon ! slain dragon ! What happiness ! "

Everyone was coughing and spluttering smoke, but as it cleared Dorothy saw indeed dragon Sir Hokus had slain, the rheumatic dragon old Gheewizard himself

"Why didn't you get the wizard ? " rumbled the Cowardly Lion angrily

" exploded," said the Comfortable Camel, sniffing the skin daintily

"Treason ! " yelled the three Princes, while the Grand Gheewizard flung himself stone floor and began tearing strand after strand silver pigtail

"He has killed the little joy hearth ! " screeched the old man " turn him to cat, miserable yellow cat, and roast him for dinner ! "

"Oh ! " cried Dorothy, looking at Sir Hokus sorrowfully "How could you ? "

The slaying dragon had thrown the whole hall into utmost confusion Sir Hokus turned little pale under his armor, but faced the angry mob without flinching

"Oh, my dear Karwan Bashi, so uncomfortable ! " wheezed the camel, glancing back of him with frightened eyes