"That 'ere Em'rald City," said Cap'n Bill impressively, "happens other side o' those mountains, that we're told no one is able to cross I don't want to discourage of you, Trot, but we're a'most separated from your Ozma an' Dorothy were when we lived in Californy "

truth statement all walked on in silence for Finally they reached the grove of stately trees that bordered the grounds King's castle They had gone halfway through it sound of sobbing, as of someone in bitter distress, reached their ears and caused them to halt abruptly

Chapter Ten

Pon, the Gardener's Boy

Button-Bright who first discovered, lying face beneath broad spreading tree near the pathway, young man whose body shook force sobs dressed in long brown smock and had sandals feet, betokening one in humble life His head was bare and showed shock of brown, curly hair Button-Bright looked down young man and said:

"Who cares, anyhow ? "

" ! " cried the young man, interrupting his sobs to roll over, face upward, that he might see who had spoken "I care, heart is broken ! "

"Can't you get another one ? " asked the little boy

"I don't want another ! " wailed the young man

Trot and Cap'n Bill arrived spot girl leaned over and said in sympathetic voice:

"Tell us your troubles and perhaps "

The youth sat up, then, and bowed politely Afterward he got upon his feet, but still kept wringing his hands as he tried to choke down his sobs Trot thought very brave to control such awful agony

"My name is Pon," he began "I'm the gardener's boy "

"Then the gardener King is your father, I suppose," said Trot

"Not my father, but my master," reply

"I work gardener gives the orders And not my fault, least, Princess Gloria fell in love with me "

"Did she, really ? " asked the little girl

"I don't see why," remarked Button-Bright, staring youth

"And the Princess Gloria be ? " inquired Cap'n Bill

" the niece of King Krewl, her guardian The Princess lives castle and loveliest and sweetest maiden in all Jinxland fond of flowers and used to walk gardens with her attendants At such times, if working at my tasks, I used to cast down my eyes as Gloria passed me; but one day I glanced up and found her gazing at me with very tender look in her eyes The she dismissed her attendants and, coming to my side, began with me She said I had touched her heart as no other young man had ever done I kissed her hand Just then the King came around bend walk He struck me fist and kicked me foot Then he seized the arm Princess and rudely dragged her castle "

"Wasn't he awful ! " gasped Trot indignantly

" very abrupt King," said Pon, "so it least expect I thought of loving Princess Gloria, but realizing it impolite not to return her love, so We met at evening, , and she told me the King wanted her to marry rich courtier named Googly-Goo, old enough Gloria's father She has refused Googly-Goo thirty-nine times, but he still persists and has brought many rich presents to bribe the King account King Krewl has commanded his niece to marry the old man, but the Princess has assured me, time and again, that she will wed only me we happened to meet grape arbor and as respectfully saluting the cheek Princess, two King's guards seized me and beat me terribly very eyes of Gloria, whom the King himself held back so interfere "

"Why, this King monster ! " cried Trot

" far worse than that," said Pon, mournfully

"But, see here," interrupted Cap'n Bill, who had listened carefully to Pon "This King may not be to blame, after all Kings are proud folks, because they're so high an' mighty, an' it isn't reasonable for royal Princess to marry common gardener's boy "

"It isn't right," declared Button-Bright "A Princess should marry Prince "

"I'm not common gardener's boy," protested Pon "If I had my rights the King instead of Krewl , I'm Prince, and as royal as any man in Jinxland "

"How does that come ? " asked Cap'n Bill

"My father used the King and Krewl was his Prime Minister But one day while out hunting, King Phearse -- that was my father's name -- had quarrel with Krewl and tapped him gently nose knuckles closed hand This so provoked the wicked Krewl that he tripped my father backward, he fell into deep pond At once Krewl threw in mass of heavy stones, which so weighted down my poor father that his body rise again surface impossible to kill anyone land, as perhaps , but when my father was pressed down mud bottom deep pool stones held him so never escape, of no more use to himself or the world than if he had died Knowing this, Krewl proclaimed himself King, taking possession royal castle and driving all my father's people out small boy, then, but when I grew up I became gardener served King Krewl without his knowing that the son same King Phearse whom he so cruelly made away with "

"My, but that's terr'bly exciting story ! " said Trot, drawing long breath "But tell us, Pon, who was Gloria's father ? "

"Oh, he King before my father," replied Pon "Father was Prime Minister for King Kynd, who was Gloria's father She was only baby when King Kynd fell Great Gulf that lies just this side mountains -- the same mountains that separate Jinxland rest Land of Oz said the Great Gulf has no bottom; but, however , King Kynd has never been seen again and my father became King place "

"Seems ," said Trot, "that if Gloria had her rights be Queen of Jinxland "

"Well, her father was King," admitted Pon, "and so was my father; so of equal rank, although she's great lady and I'm humble gardener's boy 't see why we marry if to except that King Krewl won't "

"It's sort of mixed-up mess, taken altogether," remarked Cap'n Bill "But way to visit King Krewl, and get chance, young man, we'll put in good word "

"Do, please ! " begged Pon

" the flogging you got that broke your heart ? " inquired Button-Bright

"Why, it helped to break it, ," said Pon

"I'd get it fixed up, if I were you," advised the boy, tossing pebble at chipmunk in tree "You ought Gloria just as good heart as she gives you "

"That's common sense," agreed Cap'n Bill So they left the gardener's boy standing beside the path, and resumed their journey toward the castle

Chapter Eleven

The Wicked King and Googly-Goo

When our friends approached the great doorway castle they found it guarded by several soldiers dressed in splendid uniforms They were armed with swords and lances Cap'n Bill walked straight up and asked:

"Does the King happen at home ? "

"His Magnificent and Glorious Majesty, King Krewl, is at present inhabiting his Royal Castle," stiff reply

"Then I guess we'll go in an' say how-d'ye-do," continued Cap'n Bill, attempting to enter the doorway But soldier barred his way with lance

"Who , your names, and where come from ? " demanded the soldier

"You wouldn't know told you," returned the sailor, "seein' 're strangers in strange land "

"Oh, strangers permitted to enter," said the soldier, lowering his lance "His Majesty is very fond of strangers "

"Do many strangers come here ? " asked Trot

" the first that ever came to our country," said the man "But his Majesty has often said that if strangers ever arrived in Jinxland see had very exciting time "

Cap'n Bill scratched his chin thoughtfully He wasn't very favorably impressed last remark But he decided that no way of escape from Jinxland it wise to confront the King boldly and try to win his favor So they entered the castle, escorted by soldiers

certainly fine castle, with many large rooms, all beautifully furnished The passages were winding and handsomely decorated, and after following several the soldier led them into an open court that occupied the very center huge building surrounded on every side by high turreted walls, and contained beds of flowers, fountains and walks of many colored marbles which were matched together in quaint designs In an open space near the middle court they saw group of courtiers and their ladies, who surrounded lean man who wore upon his head jeweled crown His face was hard and sullen and slits half-closed eyelids the eyes glowed like coals of fire dressed in brilliant satins and velvets and was seated in golden throne-chair

This personage was King Krewl, and Cap'n Bill saw him the old sailor knew at once that not going to like the King of Jinxland

"Hello ! who's here ? " said his Majesty, with deep scowl

"Strangers, Sire," answered the soldier, bowing so low that his forehead touched the marble tiles

"Strangers, eh ? Well, well; what an unexpected visit ! Advance, strangers, and give an account of yourselves "

The King's voice was as harsh as his features Trot shuddered little but Cap'n Bill calmly replied: