"It certainly is, Button-Bright Let's go over 's house Whoever lives there couldn't treat us worse King did "

To reach the light they had to leave the road, so they stumbled over hillocks and brushwood, hand in hand, keeping the tiny speck of light always in sight

They were rather forlorn little waifs, outcasts in strange country and forsaken by their only friend and guardian, Cap'n Bill So they were when finally they reached small cottage and, looking in one window, saw Pon, the gardener's boy, sitting by fire of twigs

As Trot opened the door and walked boldly in, Pon sprang greet them They told him of Cap'n Bill's disappearance and how they turned King's castle finished the story Pon shook his head sadly

"King Krewl is plotting mischief, ," said he, "for to-day he sent for old Blinkie, the Wicked Witch, and with my own eyes her come castle and hobble away toward her hut She King and Googly-Goo, and afraid they were going to work some enchantment on Gloria so no longer love me But perhaps the witch was only called castle to enchant your friend, Cap'n Bill "

"Could she ? " asked Trot, horrified suggestion

"I suppose so, for old Blinkie can do lot of wicked magical things "

"What sort of an enchantment could she put on Cap'n Bill ? "

"I don't know But he has disappeared, so I'm pretty certain she something dreadful to him But don't worry has happened, it can't be helped, and hasn't happened him morning "

Pon went cupboard and brought food Trot was far too worried to eat, but Button-Bright made good supper simple food and then lay down fire and went to sleep The little girl gardener's boy, however, sat staring fire, busy with their thoughts But at last Trot, too, became sleepy and Pon gently covered her one blanket he possessed Then he threw more wood fire and laid himself down before it, next to Button- Bright Soon all three were fast asleep They were in of trouble; but they were young, and sleep was good because for time it made them forget

Chapter Thirteen

Glinda the Good Scarecrow of Oz

That country south Emerald City, Land of Oz, is known Quadling Country, and very southernmost part of it stands splendid palace lives Glinda the Good

Glinda Royal Sorceress of Oz She has wonderful magical powers and uses them only to benefit the subjects of Ozma's kingdom Even the famous Wizard of Oz pays tribute to her, for Glinda taught him all the real magic , and his superior in all sorts of sorcery Everyone loves Glinda, dainty and exquisite Ruler, Ozma, down humblest inhabitant of Oz, for always kindly and helpful and willing to listen troubles, however busy No one knows her age, but all how beautiful and stately Her hair is like red gold and finer finest silken strands Her eyes are blue sky and always frank and smiling Her cheeks are the envy of peach-blows and her mouth is enticing as rosebud Glinda is tall and wears splendid gowns that trail behind her as she walks She wears no jewels, for her beauty would shame them

For attendants Glinda has half hundred loveliest girls in Oz gathered from all over Oz, from Winkies, the Munchkins, the Gillikins Quadlings, as from Ozma's magnificent Emerald City, and considered great favor allowed the Royal Sorceress

many wonderful things in Glinda's palace Great Book of Records book is inscribed everything that takes place in all the world, just the instant it happens; by referring to its pages Glinda knows taking place far and near, in every country that exists she learns when and where help any in distress or danger, and although her duties are confined to assisting those who inhabit the Land of Oz, always interested in what takes place unprotected outside world

So it on certain evening Glinda sat in her library, surrounded by bevy of her maids, who were engaged in spinning, weaving and embroidery, when an attendant announced the arrival palace Scarecrow

This personage was famous and popular in all the Land of Oz His body was merely suit of Munchkin clothes stuffed with straw, but his head was round sack filled with bran, the Wizard of Oz had mixed some magic brains of very superior sort The eyes, nose and mouth Scarecrow were painted front sack, as were his ears, and quaint being endowed with life, the expression face was very interesting, if somewhat comical

The Scarecrow was good all through, even brains, and while naturally awkward movements and lacked the neat symmetry of other people, his disposition was so kind and considerate and so obliging and honest, that all who knew him loved him, and there were few people in Oz who met our Scarecrow and made his acquaintance He lived part time in Ozma's palace Emerald City, part time own corncob castle Winkie Country, and part time he traveled over all Oz, visiting people and playing children, whom he dearly loved

on one wandering journeys Scarecrow had arrived at Glinda's palace, Sorceress at once made him welcome As he sat beside her, talking adventures, he asked:

"What's new way of news ? "

Glinda opened her Great Book of Records and read last pages

" an item quite curious and interesting," she announced, an accent of surprise in her voice "Three people big Outside World have arrived in Jinxland "

"Where is Jinxland ? " inquired the Scarecrow

"Very near here, little east of us," she said " , Jinxland is little slice taken off the Quadling Country, but separated by range of high mountains, foot lies wide, deep gulf supposed impassable "

"Then Jinxland is really part Land of Oz," said he

"Yes," returned Glinda, "but Oz people know nothing of it, except recorded here in my book "

"What does the Book say ? " asked the Scarecrow

" ruled by wicked man called King Krewl, although he has no right title Most people are good, but very timid and live in constant fear fierce ruler also several Wicked Witches who keep the inhabitants of Jinxland in state of terror "

"Do those witches have any magical powers ? " inquired the Scarecrow

"Yes, they seem to understand witchcraft in its most evil form, for has just transformed respectable and honest old sailor -- strangers who arrived there -- into grasshopper This same witch, Blinkie by name, is also planning to freeze the heart of beautiful Jinxland girl named Princess Gloria "

"Why, that's dreadful thing ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow

Glinda's face was very grave She read in her book how Trot and Button-Bright were turned King's castle, and how they found refuge hut of Pon, the gardener's boy

"I'm afraid those helpless earth people will endure much suffering in Jinxland, even wicked King witches permit them to live," said the good Sorceress, thoughtfully " help them "

"Can anything ? " asked the Scarecrow, anxiously " , tell me what , and I'll "

For Glinda reply, but sat musing over the records Then she said: " going to to Jinxland, to protect Trot and Button-Bright and Cap'n Bill "

"All right," answered the Scarecrow in cheerful voice " Button-Bright already, for he Land of Oz before You remember he went away Land of Oz in Wizard's big bubbles "

"Yes," said Glinda, "I remember that " Then she carefully instructed the Scarecrow what and gave him certain magical things which he placed pockets ragged Munchkin coat

" no need to sleep," said she, " start at once "

"The night same as day ," he replied, "except that I my way dark "

" furnish light to guide you," promised the Sorceress

So the Scarecrow bade her good-bye and at once started journey By morning he had reached the mountains that separated the Quadling Country from Jinxland The sides mountains were too steep to climb, but the Scarecrow took small rope pocket and tossed one end upward, air The rope unwound itself for hundreds of feet, until it caught upon peak of rock very top of mountain, for magic rope furnished him by Glinda The Scarecrow climbed the rope and, after pulling it up, let it down other side mountain range When he descended the rope side himself in Jinxland, but at his feet yawned the Great Gulf, be crossed before proceed any farther

The Scarecrow knelt down and examined the ground carefully, and in moment he discovered fuzzy brown spider that had rolled itself into ball So two tiny pills pocket and laid them beside the spider, which unrolled itself and quickly ate up the pills Then the Scarecrow said in voice of command:

"Spin ! " spider obeyed instantly